3 minute read
International Stakes success follows ill fortune at Royal meeting.
Blue Mist put his luckless run at Royal Ascot behind him with a dominant victory in the Moet & Chandon International Stakes.
Roger Charlton's charge was a well-supported favourite for the Silver Wokingham at the Berkshire circuit last month – but a tardy start put him on the back foot, and he encountered trouble in running on his way to finish a never-nearer ninth.
There were no such problems on his return to Ascot this time, however, as the 9-2 market leader travelled strongly for much of the seven-furlong journey under Ryan Moore before displaying a sharp turn of foot to leave his rivals trailing in his wake.
Jamie Osborne's dual Ascot winner Cliffs Of Capri finished strongly to close the gap late on, but Blue Mist had plenty in hand at the line.
Harry Charlton, assistant to his father, said: "He was unlucky last time, but he always runs pretty well here.
"Ryan gets on particularly well with him. He is the kind of the horse you try not to get there too soon on, and every time Ryan gets there he goes early and goes clear. Fair play to him – that is why he has been champion jockey.
"He did it well. I was worried about the quick ground, because we hadn't got as much cut as we wanted. Maybe he can handle it, but it is probably not the best for his legs.
"He is pretty quick. As everyone knows, he has been leading Quadrilateral all winter, so we were hoping he would show some light – and that sort of proves it, I guess.
"He has been third in the Victoria Cup and third in this last year. I guess we may have to step a rank or two now."