Cobh
Gifted juvenile Cobh has earnt the right to be considered for G1 company after securing a maiden stakes race at only his third career appearance. The handsome colt is building an impressive curriculum vitae with today’s triumph in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes (1609m) at Salisbury (Britain) his second win. His only other appearance to date being a wonderfully game second in listed company at Ascot.
France’s G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere on the Prix de l’Arc de Triomph undercard, now shapes as a viable target for the Clive Cox trained performer who continues to answer the challenges the trainer places in front of him.
“The Lagardere is a race we are looking at. A lot can happen between now and then and it may be a lofty target but Cobh looks like a nice horse,” said China Horse Club’s Matt Houldsworth.
“Cobh was impressive today. The plan pre-race was to get some cover and it worked out nicely. Adam [Kirby] handled him well and Cobh delivered when given the chance to put the race away.”
The Listed Stonehenge Stakes is the fourth stakes win for China Horse Club in the last three months. Cobh’s win comes just weeks after Improbable’s G1 Whitney Stakes triumph at Saratoga (USA) with the other successes being Surf Dancer’s victory in the Listed King Charles II Stakes (Britain) and Improbable’s slashing G1 Hollywood Gold Cup win.
Cobh was sent out a firm favourite in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes and gave his supporters few doubts. Kirby settled his charge behind the leaders to get some cover in what were very blustery conditions before posing his challenge at the two-furlong (400m) mark.
As the two leaders started to separate, Cobh answered Kirby’s asking to push into the gap before striking the front and holding off all other challengers. On the line the colt had half a length to spare over runner-up Fancy Man with a further three-and-a-quarter lengths to the third placed Surprise Exhibit.
“Cobh, I was really pleased with him,” said Kirby post-race.
“[Cobh] travelled very smoothly and when [the gap] opened up he took me through there nicely and he quickened a bit, I liked that. Then he lengthened all the way to the line. I think it was a smart performance and he got the mile well.”
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