Unbeaten Hurricane Lane books Derby ticket

Hurricane Lane will lead Godolphin’s hopes of securing a third Derby success after maintaining his unbeaten record with victory in last week’s G2 Dante Stakes at York.

The Frankel colt took the step up to Group-race company in his stride as he comfortably won the leading trial for the Classic and shaped as though he could be even better suited by the Derby distance of a mile and a half on the first Saturday of June.

He is set to be joined at Epsom Downs by One Ruler, who showed excellent form as a juvenile and shaped encouragingly on his seasonal return in the 2,000 Guineas.

Both colts will be looking to emulate Lammtarra and Masar, whose half-sister Sayyida scored at Newmarket over the weekend.

A good week for Godolphin’s Classic generation in Europe also saw two sprinters gain breakthrough wins. Ideal Beauty showed a blistering turn of foot to capture the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges at Longchamp, while Creative Force continued a prolific start to his season when routing the opposition in the Listed Carnarvon Stakes at Newbury.

Ideal Beauty became the first three-year-old in 19 years to capture the G3 Prix de Saint-Georges.

The Andre Fabre-trained filly, taking on older opposition for the first time after finishing third in the G3 Prix Sigy at Chantilly in April, broke on terms and settled in mid-field of the 13 runners.

Ideal Beauty travelled strongly behind horses two furlongs out and quickened impressively when switched out by Mickael Barzalona shortly after, collaring Berneuil near the line for a three-quarter length success.

Improving sprinter Creative Force made it four wins from five starts with an authoritative display in the six-furlong Listed Carnarvon Stakes.

The Charlie Appleby-trained son of Dubawi, whose three previous victories had all come over the same distance at Newmarket, broke smartly and soon tracked Mishal Star as the duo raced away from their five rivals early on.

Godolphin’s juveniles in Australia have enjoyed a sensational spell and Heresy brought up the 27th two-year-old win of the season when taking the G3 David Coles Stakes. It was a landmark success as well for her sire Street Boss, who was recording his 50th Stakes winner worldwide.

At only her second start, Heresy made light of the step up from a second placing in a Geelong maiden to Group level, running out a clear winner over the males Karacasu and Magic Max.

The win also added to the triumphant season being enjoyed by Heresy’s sire Street Boss who has already had the G1 winner and likely juvenile of the season, Anamoe, and the G2 winner Arcaded during 2020-21.

Heresy displayed a demeanour matched by her ability, settling off the generous early speed under Damien Oliver before providing the perfect answer when called upon.

After a brief battle with the runner up, Heresey forged clear to win by a long neck.

The win was the 53rd at Stakes level worldwide for Godolphin in 2021 and the 12th black-type success among the Australian-trained 2YOs led by the James Cummings-trained Anamoe, runner-up in the G1 Golden Slipper and winner of the G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes.