Native Trail gives Godolphin another G2 Superlative Stakes success

Unbeaten colt Native Trail provided Godolphin with a fifth victory in the space of seven years – and sixth in total – in the G2 Superlative Stakes when getting up close home in the seven-furlong contest at Newmarket on Saturday.

The Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile, an impressive four-length winner on debut at Sandown Park in June, tracked the leaders in a group of five that raced up the centre of the course as the four other runners headed towards the far rail.

Native Trail quickened powerfully on the rising ground entering the final furlong, collaring Dhabab in the closing stages before resisting the late challenge of Masekela for a short-head success on good to firm ground.

Appleby said: “The ground was quick enough for Native Trail today and it was a concern coming into the race. Although he is by Oasis Dream, and we always feel they want a sound surface, Native Trail is a big unit.

“William says that he is a lovely horse to ride because he clicks through the gears, rather than rushing through them. I wasn’t saying we were confident that he would get there but I knew that he would do it all the right way round and would be doing his best work towards the wire.

“What you see on the racetrack is very similar to what we see at home – it’s nice work without being electric. Once you get to know these horses and realise it’s good enough to turn up in this sort of calibre, you are comfortable to see it at home.

“He will have a nice break and we will look at something like the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, where we know we should get the ground, although we are also keen to step him up to a mile.

“William feels that, with the way he rides through his races, he is tailor made for a mile. Whether we take on the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and then look towards something like the G1 Futurity Trophy later on in the year – they are nice conversations to have.”

William Buick added: “I was very impressed with Native Trail. He is a very imposing horse and I have loved him since the first day I sat on him. He is still very raw, with plenty of improvement to come.

“I knew that he would come into the race nicely and change his legs a couple of times before finishing off well. When he had something to race against, he kept finding more. He is a lovely horse, with a lovely temperament, and the most gorgeous-looking horse as well.”

Meanwhile, Al Suhail bounced back to form on his European return with a staying-on third in the G2 Summer Mile at Ascot on Saturday.

The four-year-old filled the same position on his first start of the year for Appleby in the G1 Jebel Hatta Sponsored By Emirates Airline on Super Saturday before failing to beat a rival in the G1 Dubai Turf on Dubai World Cup Night.

After breaking half a stride slow under Pat Dobbs, Al Suhail tracked Century Dream and Tilsit as the trio raced on the outside away from the rest of the field.

The son of Dubawi found himself sixth overall when the nine runners converged turning in and made good headway in the final furlong, getting up for third near the line to go down by a length and three-quarters in total.

Ed Walker-trained Starman powered to victory in the Darley July Cup at Newmarket.

Always held in the highest regard by his trainer, who took the brave decision not to run in the Diamond Jubilee at Royal Ascot when the heavens opened, the Duke of York Stakes winner went off 9-2 here and looked like he had a bit to do over a furlong out, .skysports.com reported.

But once meeting the highest ground, Marquand’s mount found overdrive to beat favourite Dragon Symbol and defending champion Oxted by a length and a quarter and a short head in this famous Group One sprint.