Racing Centre

Calming Influence - successful in the Coral.co.uk King Charles II Stakes

CALMING INFLUENCE gave a very encouraging display in the familiar blue colours of Godolphin to emerge victorious from the Coral co.uk King Charles II Stakes.

It looked as if Free Handicap winner Stimulation was going to record a course and distance victory in Listed company but Calming Influence came with a late charge to score by a head.

The last two winners of the race, Jeremy and Tariq, both went on to land the Jersey Stakes and it would be no surprise to see Calming Influence turn up there in the Royal meeting.

Brian Powell, assistant to Godolphin trainer Saeed bin Suroor, said: “We’ve always liked the horse and thought he would improve for the run so that was quite a good performance.

“That was near enough like a Group 3 and the obvious race - if he is good enough - would be the Jersey. You would have to consider it, anyway.”

The National Express Fairway Stakes, the day’s other Listed race, went to Unnefer who gave a most professional display in winning by a length from Pampas Cat. He, too, could find himself at Royal Ascot, according to Alan Cooper, racing manager for the victorious Niarchos Family.

He said: “We will have to talk to his trainer Henry Cecil but he could go for the Hampton Court, all being well.”

Local trainer Michael Jarvis and jockey Philip Robinson teamed up for an approximate 25/1 double with Ancien Regime (Coral.co.uk Handicap) and Yaddree (National Express Let’s Go Handicap) both on target.

Resurge completed a good day for trainer Jeremy Noseda - also successful at Haydock in the Group 2 Temple Stakes with Fleeting Spirit - by striking in the National Express Making Travel Simpler Maiden.

Alkhafif made a winning start to his career when taking the Stansted Express EBF Maiden, while Trachonitis was successful in the National Express Whittlesford Parkway Handicap.

Racing resumes with Countryside Day tomorrow and the first race is scheduled for 2.20pm

By Tony Rushmer