Tag Archive for: Hurricane Lane

Hurricane Lane storms back to winning ways

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Hurricane Lane defied a thunder storm to stamp his class on the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

The chestnut looked to have the world at his feet two years ago when winning the Irish Derby and the St Leger and going close in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

His four-year-old season was something of a write-off, however, as he was only third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before being well beaten in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Kept in training with the aim of returning to Paris for the Arc, those ambitions looked a long way off when he finished last of seven at Newbury in the John Porter Stakes last month – his first start after an absence of 293 days.

Weak in the market for most of the day, he was eventually backed into 2-1 with West Wind Blows sent off the even-money favourite.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time by Charlie Appleby, the result was never in any doubt with William Buick sending him on fully half a mile from home.

With stamina no issue, Hurricane Lane powered clear and was six lengths to the good from West Wind Blows who just pipped Global Storm for the runner-up spot.

Appleby’s charge was cut to 7-1 from 20s by Betfair for the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Appleby said: “A few people might have thought we were being a bit selfish wanting to run him (as a five-year-old), but he showed us his old demeanour throughout the winter and into the spring.

“Newbury was disappointing, but it was a big ask for him in heavy ground and Will just said he felt like a different horse today. He said he was sluggish at Newbury and today he just floated along.

“Everyone was obviously asking the question ‘why did he get beat’ and asking why we were coming back so soon, but he showed us what he could do midweek with the cheekpieces on and fair play to the team, they said he couldn’t get beat today.

“I have to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for allowing us to keep this horse in training. When you have a horse that has given the team as much as he’s given then of course you feel for them and want them to carry on doing it. I’m delighted for everyone.

“We could look at the Hardwicke in the summer, if the ground was right. I’ve always said I wanted to work back from the Arc, which might be a bit bold, but we’ll see.”

Buick said: “It was absolutely brilliant and full credit to Charlie and the team. We were brave to bring him back here 13 days after Newbury and he has had a lovely experience on his doorstep.

“This is the Hurricane Lane that we know so it is lovely to have him back winning like that. There were a lot of question marks for sure, but everyone was happy with him at home.

“I think all the information and knowledge everyone had of him was that he was in tip-top order. We were probably hopeful of that performance as we thought he was back to his good three-year-old form.

“It was brilliant when I pressed on into the lead and you couldn’t have asked for anymore of him.”

Grand Alliance powers clear for deserved big-race prize

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Grand Alliance finally landed the prize his undoubted talent hinted he was capable of when causing an upset in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained four-year-old finished 11th in the Derby behind Desert Crown last year, and subsequently looked like winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot only to hang badly left and lose out in a photo.

Gelded last autumn, he shaped with promise when third to Max Vega in the St Simon Stakes and over the same course and distance in a Group Three registered as the John Porter he turned the form around with that rival in no uncertain terms.

Sent off an 18-1 chance under birthday boy James Doyle, Grand Alliance seemed to relish the soft ground and while the likes of Hurricane Lane and Mojo Star – first and second in the 2021 St Leger – were all at sea in the straight, the winner scooted clear.

There were still signs of his temperament, veering away sharply to his left inside the final furlong, but thankfully he had the race won by then.

The outsider of the field, Farhan, on just his second start for Phil Kirby, ran on to be second, beaten two and a quarter lengths.

Fellowes: “He has done that to a pretty decent field. I know that two outsiders finished first and second, but they were a good bunch and he has done it pretty handily in the end. I don’t think he was doing a huge amount out in front.

“I know he has a Yorkshire Cup entry, but James said afterwards he wouldn’t be jumping to step up further in trip, so I think I need to have a sit down and talk to the owner (Paul Roy) and make a plan.

“He was on and off the bridle, but that’s him. He has got a lot better than he was last year. He was particularly quirky last year and he’s settled down a lot.

“I’ve been delighted with him over the winter and, walking around the paddock, I thought he’d done really well physically. I don’t know why watching him go round with a saddle on made me see how well he had done, but he looked fantastic.

“I think he goes on any ground. It was rattling quick when he threw that race away at Ascot.”

Grand Alliance poses for the camera
Grand Alliance poses for the camera (PA)

Doyle added: “He was on and off the bridle, but that is always what he has done. He has always hinted he has been pretty good.

“Arguably he should have won at Royal Ascot last year, but he just hung across the track.

“He is very versatile ground-wise, it is amazing when you look at him – as he’s got such small feet – that he does go on this type of heavy ground.

“He does go on fast ground, so hopefully we can have a bit of fun with him.

“On better ground he could possibly go up to a Yorkshire Cup trip, but on testing ground like it is today, I think this trip is about right. It felt like a long last furlong.”

Hurricane Lane hits comeback trail at Newbury

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Charlie Appleby is banking on Hurricane Lane returning to something like the form he showed as a three-year-old on his return to action in the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury.

Winner of the Irish Derby and St Leger in 2021 when he also finished a close third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, last season was something of a write-off.

Beaten at odds-on twice, in the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot and in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud, he was one horse certainly not suited by the heatwave given his liking for softer ground.

With Newbury set to be pretty testing this weekend, Appleby is happy to start a campaign which he once more hopes will culminate in Paris in October.

Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick celebrate winning the St Leger with Hurricane Lane
Charlie Appleby and jockey William Buick celebrate winning the St Leger with Hurricane Lane (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He has been a grand horse for Godolphin, and we feel he should be able to pick up another major prize this year,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

“With his programme, we are working back from the Arc, that’s our main aim. He revels in soft ground and there is a good chance he could get those conditions at Longchamp in October.

“You cannot fault the horse at home. He retains all his old zest and he looks great. We will know early in his five-year-old campaign whether or not the Arc is a realistic target.”

Max Vega won the race 12 months ago for Ralph Beckett and he is back to defend his title, along with a new stablemate, Lone Eagle.

“Both he and Lone Eagle are going to find it tough if the real Hurricane Lane is going to turn up. But he should run his race as normal. He is in good shape,” said Beckett.

There was not much between Lone Eagle (left) and Hurricane Lane in the Irish Derby of 2021
There was not much between Lone Eagle (left) and Hurricane Lane in the Irish Derby of 2021 (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Lone Eagle was a classy three-year-old himself and made Hurricane Lane pull out all the stops in the Irish Derby when trained by Martyn Meade.

He is now part-owned by Marc Chan, meaning Frankie Dettori takes the ride. Beckett also runs the fancied Jimmi Hendrix in the BetGoodwin Spring Cup and both are sporting blinkers for the first time.

Beckett said: “Lone Eagle is new to us and I think the first-time headgear will be of some benefit, and likewise Jimi Hendrix on a comeback mission in the Spring Cup – the headgear there, I think we should have pulled the trigger earlier, but that’s down to his trainer!”

Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star is undoubtedly talented, as he showed when finishing second in both the Derby and St Leger at three.

He only made it to the track once last season but it was another massive effort as he was second to Kyprios in the Gold Cup at Ascot, beaten just half a length.

“He has always been a very good colt but has had a few niggly issues which have kept him off the track and hasn’t run since putting up a brilliant effort when second in the Gold Cup,” Hannon told Unibet.

“He’s done plenty of work and been away to gallop so should be pretty straight. But this is his first run in a while, so he’s entitled to improve for it and we’re working back from the Ascot Gold Cup. I’m very happy with him and while the trip is on the short side, this is a good place to kick off his season.”

Mojo Star was a fine second to Kyprios at Ascot
Mojo Star was a fine second to Kyprios at Ascot (David Davies/PA)

Another who will not be inconvenienced by the ground is Surrey Mist, who has the benefit of already having had a run this season when fourth in a French Group Three.

Clive Hadingham of owners Surrey Racing said: “We could do with a bit more rain, which will hopefully test the fitness of the main protagonists as we already have one run under our belt this season.

“Having said that, it’s a very competitive race – we may have to get creative with our tactics!”

Hurricane Lane primed for Newbury return

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Hurricane Lane is set to make his return to competitive action at Newbury this weekend after delighting trainer Charlie Appleby in a racecourse gallop at Newmarket.

The son of Frankel enjoyed a fantastic three-year-old campaign in 2021, winning the Dante Stakes, Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger, as well as being placed in the Derby and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

Much was expected of Hurricane Lane last season, but he made it the racecourse on only two occasions, with a comeback third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot followed by a disappointing performance in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

But after seeing the five-year-old draw clear of a stablemate in a seven-furlong workout under William Buick on Tuesday morning, Appleby is confident the entire can bounce back to his best, with Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes – better known as the John Porter – his intended starting point.

“I’m pleased with that. We brought him up here purposely with the ground being good to soft, soft as we know he is a horse that is proven on that surface,” said the Moulton Paddocks handler.

“His three-year-old career, I don’t have to tell anyone about that, but his four-year-old career ended up being disappointing. He ran a creditable race in the Hardwicke Stakes on ground that was quick. We thought we got away with it to be honest with you.

“We then went to the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the ground wasn’t where we thought it was. It was quick enough that day and he ran a disappointing race.

“We purposely left it there and thought we’d give the horse every chance. The one thing I wanted to make sure starting this year was that he was starting on ground with soft in the description. I don’t want any excuses.

“If the horse were not to turn up, you would have to accept that the horse did what he did as a three-year-old at the highest level and that was that – but on the evidence of what we have seen at home this year, we have been very pleased with him as a physical and just in his demeanour, and I think he has shown you guys out there this morning he has let himself down there.

“The plan is to take a look at Newbury on Saturday with the ground being there to suit him.”

While Hurricane Lane holds several Group One entries, Appleby confirmed the Arc will again be his major target, adding: “The only reason this horse has stayed in training is to work back from an Arc.

Adayar winning the 2021 King George at Ascot
Adayar winning the 2021 King George at Ascot (Nigel French/PA)

“I want to make sure we tick all the right boxes and give him the best opportunity to get there. I don’t want to be there mid-season running on ground he doesn’t want and then telling myself I’ve made a mistake.

“The Arc is our long-term plan and he will be campaigned accordingly around that.”

Appleby also provided an upbeat bulletin on the progress of his 2021 Derby hero Adayar, who remains on course to make his return in the Gordon Richard Stakes at Sandown on Friday week.

He said: “Adayar is in great form and he has been over to Waterhall (gallop) and done all our preparations pre-season and he has delighted us over there.

“His target is the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. We go to Sandown with it very much as a trial, but I would be disappointed if this horse is not a big player there.

Charlie Appleby is looking forward to the return of Adayar
Charlie Appleby is looking forward to the return of Adayar (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We are very much on the front foot this season as this time last year, unfortunately our dream had gone for the first half of the season, which became frustrating watching all those good races go by.

“He showed that he was worth our patience at the back end there winning at Doncaster, which was more of an organised gallop, before running a courageous race to finish second in the Champion Stakes on ground that we know is not his ideal.

“We are very much looking forward to Sandown next week.”

Appleby is keen for Adayar to win a Group One over 10 furlongs to go with his Derby and King George wins over a mile and a half to enhance his future value at stud.

“To start with he will be campaigned over a mile and a quarter because of his stallion CV. In this day and age, they want to see a bit more speed on the page,” he added.

“What he achieved in his three-year-old career, winning the Derby and King George, was fantastic and everyone was delighted. From a commercial point of view, everyone would like to see that mile and a quarter stamped.

“I think it is a trip that is well within his compass – he has always been a very strong traveller in his races.

“Epsom and Ascot were fantastic results for the horse and the team, but I’m pretty confident he will be putting a Group One 10-furlong tag around his neck this year.”

Newbury reappearance possible for Mojo Star

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Richard Hannon’s Mojo Star could make his reappearance in what is shaping up to be a high-class Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Runner-up in both the Derby and St Leger during his Classic season, he has been off the track since finishing second in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last year – his sole start at four.

He was due to return in the Further Flights Stakes at Nottingham last week, but having skipped that Colwick Park assignment on account of deteriorating ground, the Amo Racing-owned five-year-old could begin his march back to the Royal meeting in this 12-furlong Group Three.

“We did want to start him off at Nottingham, but I think we saw there with Trueshan getting beat and how bad the ground was, we made the right decision to not go there – we were happy to swerve that one,” said Tom Pennington, Amo’s racing and operations manager.

A maximum of 11 will go to post for the race better known as the John Porter and other notable names amongst the possibles include Charlie Appleby’s pair of Yibir and Hurricane Lane.

The latter accounted for Mojo Star when scooping Classic honours at Doncaster as a three-year-old, but Pennington is keen to point out that Amo’s son of Sea The Stars is a top operator in his own right and will always be facing off against stiff opposition.

He continued: “We’ve got to start somewhere and he’s that good of a horse, operating at a high level, that we’re always going to bump into one or two and we can’t be afraid of anyone.

Former St Leger winner Hurricane Lane is a possible for the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury
Former St Leger winner Hurricane Lane is a possible for the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes at Newbury (Mike Egerton/PA)

“Richard’s happy with him and as I’ve said before, this is a stepping stone to Royal Ascot and the Gold Cup and then those nice staying targets in the summer.

“We just need to get a run under his belt now. He’s been off the track for over 300 days and we just need to get the cobwebs blown away and get him back on track.”

Owners Godolphin are again well represented amongst the 22 entries for the Dubai Duty Free Stakes – also known as the Fred Darling – where Appleby’s Fairy Cross and John and Thady Gosden’s Bridestones will put their 1000 Guineas aspirations to the test.

Amo Racing are also double-handed in the race with Olivia Maralda potentially making her debut for Roger Varian and Magical Sunset bidding to build on an impressive course-and-distance success in the Radley Stakes in her final start at two.

Magical Sunset struck Listed gold at Newbury
Magical Sunset struck Listed gold at Newbury (Neil Morrice/PA)

“Olivia Maralda has been working well for Roger and he has been very pleased with her,” added Pennington.

“This has been her target all along but if that rain materialised Thursday/Friday, I would be worried because it is already soft, heavy in places now. She wouldn’t want it that extreme I wouldn’t think, so we’ll have to assess that nearer the time.

“Magical Sunset loves that ground – it was heavy when she won the Radley Stakes and she seems to thrive on it. She is a much better filly on it, so it will be a nice starting point for her.”

Of the remainder, Lowther Stakes one-two Swingalong (Karl Burke) and Queen Me (Kevin Ryan) could make the trip down from Yorkshire, with Small Oasis a possible Irish raider for Jessica Harrington.