Enfjaar wins the Coral Glorious Stakes: Report, reaction and free video replay

The 8/1 chance, trained by the in-form Roger Varian, jumped out in front when the gates opened, unlike Midak who lost all chance with a very slow break.

Enfjaar was tracked by Opportunity and, although it looked unlikely with a quarter of a mile to run, the pair eventually filled the first two places.

The gamble of the race, In My Teens, was produced on the outside but may have paid the price for racing too keenly while Al Aasy, the winner of the last two renewals, tried to challenge up the inner and briefly looked like cutting down the leaders but they pulled out more to deny the nine-year-old.

The winning distances were a length and a quarter and a length.

Victory earned Enfjaar a ballot free place in the Caulfield Cup in Australia should connections decide to head overseas.

Coral Glorious Stakes result

1. ENFJAAR 8/1

2. Opportunity 15/8 favourite

3. Al Aasy 9/2

Watch free video replay of Enfjaar winning the Coral Glorious Stakes

Post-race reaction

Varian said: “Funny enough, Jim (Crowley) said at times last year that he wants a mile and half.

“I walked out of Royal Ascot on the Tuesday with Ray (Dawson) after he rode him in the Wolferton where he had no luck, and a terrible passage, but he hit the line strong, and Ray said, “I think he wants a mile and a half”, so we always thought we would come here.

“It was a lovely ride and he rode to the situation and the horse gave when he needed him so it was a lovely result for everyone.

“They are new owners as he was a Shadwell and Sheika Hissa horse. Michael and Angelica Spence and Tristan and Leanne Standish have come together in the horse in equal partnership.

“He was bought to have a bit of fun with at the bigger meetings in the summer and maybe, if he proved up for it, to go abroad in the winter. How abroad looks we will have to see as this was his first try at a mile and a half.

“Should he get this trip, which he has done, it has now opened a few more doors that maybe weren’t considered before.

“I only learnt two minutes ago about this Caulfield Cup entry, but we will have to digest today and enjoy today, and maybe plan out a bit of a campaign as it was a strong field today.”

Dawson said: "Delighted for the horse and the owners. He's had two rough runs his last two runs, Ascot did well to stay up, the last time we ran him here, the beginning of the year, they went steady and he was just a bit unfortunate.

"Today, we had no plan. If he jumped well and was in a rhythm, it was the best way to get him to stay stepping up in trip. He stayed it very well and he's answered that question, I'm delighted. He's very tough, he's got a big engine - he won a John Smith's Cup off a high mark a couple of years back - so he's always had the ability.

"It was the first time he's ever made the running like that I think but when he felt the horses come to him, he's found another gear and lengthened out all the way to the line."

William Haggas said of Al Aasy and Opportunity: “They both ran very well, not quite fast enough sadly, but they both ran solid races. I think both would have appreciated a little bit kinder ground, I’m not complaining about the ground, it’s just the way it is, but they both ran solid races.”

On Al Aasy he added: “He’s a marvellous horse, he has always been a lovely horse.”

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