Long odds-on favourite Dawn Approach duly obliged in the Group One Dubai Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket.
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Victory wasn't without an anxious moment for the son of New Approach, however, as he wandered around in the dip when asked to go and pick up the leader, stable companion, Leitr Mor.
Dawn Approach has shown a tendency to be strong at the finish of his races already in his short career and he was ultimately well on top at the line, providing Jim Bolger with his fifth success in the race in the last seven years.
"I never had any concerns. He has a lazy style of running - Kevin had to wind him up - but he got there in the end. He's capable of ruling the roost."
Jim Bolger
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Leitir Mor completed a one-two for the County Carlow handler, finishing two and three quarter lengths adrift but keeping on well having set a searching gallop.
George Vancouver loomed up threateningly when Dawn Approach initially struggled to pick up but his run rather flattened out and he had to settle for third.
The winner seems certain to end the campaign as the highest-rated juvenile in Europe having taken his career record to six out of six, including the Coventry and National Stakes.
His sire was also granted that accolade having also won both the Dewhurst and National Stakes for Bolger.
"He's just a very good horse. I've no doubts he'll get further than a mile."
Kevin Manning
The trainer has now been given formal approval to prepare the horse for next year's Qipco 2000 Guineas by Dawn Approach's owner Sheikh Mohammed who said: "We are very happy.
"I was impressed with him when he won his maiden and I thought he was a good horse - we were lucky.
"Good horses always find something.''
Bolger said: "My previous four Dewhurst winners were pretty smart but this one is right up there with them.
"We needed a good pacemaker today and he has done his job very well.
"I never had any concerns. He has a lazy style of running - Kevin had to wind him up - but he got there in the end.
"He's capable of ruling the roost.''
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford said: "He's finished for the year and will go back to Jim Bolger to get him ready for next year's Guineas.''
Manning also partnered Bolger's other winners, Teofilo and Intense Focus, and he said: "To ride any horse of this ability is exciting, but it's great to have ridden the father and now ride a horse as good as him.
"It's fantastic to be part of the whole dynasty.
"He's much easier to deal with than his father, there was always a little temperament about him, whereas this horse is more straightforward.
"He always just hits his flat spot for a couple of strides until he hits top gear.
"I know the horse and I knew there was plenty there."
The trainer of fourth placed Ashdan, John Gosden said: "The champion two-year-old has been crowned, and I think in the Middle Park you saw the second champion two-year-old (Reckless Abandon).
"Ashdan is not really worldly enough for that and is bred to stay a lot further.
"It's a nice run but this was all a little bit quick and a bit sudden. He's a horse for next year. These are proper Guineas horses."
Sky Bet trimmed the winner to 4-1 from 5s for next year's 2,000 Guineas.
Michael Shinners of Sky Bet said: "We've trimmed Dawn Approach from 5-1 to 4-1 for the 2,000 Guineas after his Dewhurst win.
"He needed all of the seven furlongs today and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him improve over a trip next year. He's 12-1 with us for the Derby."
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