Poetic Flare (16/1) edged out Master Of The Seas and Lucky Vega after a thrilling finish to the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The principals had the first colts' Classic between them down the centre of the track and the winner showed tremendous resolution in the finish.
Master Of The Seas threw everything at him in the dying strides but the Guineas came down to the bob and Poetic Flare had his head down where it mattered to win by a short-head and a neck.
The front-running Naval Crown was fourth with nothing else threatening to get involved in the final quarter of a mile.
Trainer Jim Bolger hailed the success as “right up there with the best” days he has enjoyed during his long career in racing.
Speaking from his County Carlow base, the 79 year old who also bred the colt, said: “I thought he was beaten! It’s a big day for us, right up there with the best we’ve had. He wasn’t ready for the Dewhurst last year. I thought he was a little bit fitter than he was and I was hoping he’d run a big race and get the experience of running at that level. He ran out of wind about a furlong and a half down but we were very pleased in the run and didn’t lose faith in him.”
Asked if he might now run in the Irish 2000 Guineas, Bolger added: “I’m not sure - there’s nothing between him and Mac Swiney so it’s going to be a very hard call.
“I’m not too concerned about him getting further in time. Kevin (Manning, jockey) did say in the interview on TV that he thought he’d stay 10 furlongs, but at the moment I’m not thinking about going anywhere except the mile.
“He has buckets of speed and I even entered him in the Commonwealth Cup in the unlikely event that he didn’t stay, as he’s that quick and you always have some doubts about whether the very quick ones will stay or not. The St James’s Palace would definitely be on the cards.
“It’s a wonderful day. In our case it’s fairly necessary with the way I do things! It very much carries on that Dawn Approach line, and I have two half-sisters of Poetic Flare as well.”
Winning rider Kevin Manning told Racing TV: “He’s usually a very switched off horse who takes everything in his stride, but he left the gates very quick and on the wrong note and it just took a furlong and a half or two furlongs to reorganise and get into a rhythm. He’s very smart and has done it very well. He travelled well and picked up well.
“He just caught me off guard coming out of the gates and I had to sit and suffer, but I didn’t feel he was taking as much out of himself as it might have looked.
“Going down into the dip, when he quickened up I thought he’d put it to bed. In the last five or six strides he was just idling a little bit and coming back underneath me. It’s great to get to the other side of it (line, in front).
“I made no secret what I felt of this horse, it was no surprise to me. I thought the extra furlong would suit him and I felt he’d improve for Leopardstown. I’ve always felt he was a mile horse. He’d probably get a mile and a quarter, but I don’t see any reason why you’d have to go beyond a mile.
“These are the races everyone wants to win, they are so hard won. To win it a second time is fantastic and makes the long days seem a little easier.”
Timeform verdict
An open classic, featuring a representative field, with no standout two-year-old or trials performer in the line-up. It was the latter group that came to the fore, the first two home and the fourth having had a run in a trial, Leopardstown winner Poetic Flair scoring on the nod from Craven Stakes victor Master of The Sea. With a bunched finish, the form at this stage looks that of just an average running.
Poetic Flare looked to have done well since last year and showed a fair bit of improvement, well suited by the step up to a mile. He showed a really game attitude as well, second best for most of the final furlong; he's likely to be a leading contender in the top races at this trip and perhaps a bit further through the summer.
Master of The Sea built on what he'd done in the Craven, a sound gallop, set by his stable companion Naval Crown, enabling him to settle. He impressed with the way he made ground two out, what looked a winning move denied only by the gameness of the winner. He's in the Derby, but it's hard to see him staying and a campaign at a mile seems likely for him too.
Lucky Vega, like the winner always handy, did best of those having their first outing of the season and has clearly trained on, despite looking not to have grown much.
Aidan O'Brien's trio made little impact, though Battleground impressed most of all beforehand. He looked ill at ease in the Dip and will be worth another chance. Lack of experience was likely a factor with the well-touted Mutasaabeq. Thunder Moon was coltish beforehand and was another who hadn't grown since two years. (David Cleary)
Reaction from placed connections
Charlie Appleby said of Master Of The Seas: “When they went past the line I thought we’d got beat and someone said ‘no, you’ve won’, so I thought I'd better sit tight. He’s run a great race and backed up his performance in the Craven. He travelled lovely through the race and two furlongs down I thought ‘we’re in with a real shout here’.
“He’s picked up well up the hill, but so has Jim Bolger’s horse and well done to him and his team. Ascot (St James’s Palace) will be the most likely target for him, but I’ll speak to connections.”
Appleby also saddled the fourth in Naval Crown and the sixth One Ruler.
He added: “Naval Crown ran a hell of a race. I was always confident he’d run a big race, stepping back up to the mile. James (Doyle) said One Ruler wants a trip and a bit easier ground, so we may look at putting him on the Derby squad.”
Jessica Harrington was equally pleased with Lucky Vega.
She said: “I’m delighted with him. He ran a great race and proved he stays. He’s a relaxed horse and just a little bit fresh. Shane (Foley) said he didn’t come down the hill very well, but he stayed well and he said he was coming back at them with every stride.
“He’s in the Irish Guineas and the St James’s Palace, so they are nice options to have. I’ve also got Cadillac, who is meant to be going to the Irish Guineas.
“It’s fantastic to have the two of them. We might have to run them against each other later in the year, although Cadillac might get further – he’s from more of a staying family."
15:40 Newmarket Full result and free video replay
1st 12 Poetic Flare (IRE) 16/1
2nd 7 Master Of The Seas (IRE) 6/1
3rd 6 Lucky Vega (IRE) 12/1
Winning Trainer: J S Bolger. Winning Jockey: KJ Manning
