Saturday 1st May 2010
Makfi storms to 33/1 StanJames.com 2000 Guineas glory
MAKFI stunned the ‘big guns’ when storming to victory in the StanJames.com 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile this afternoon.
Trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, the son of Dubawi was unbeaten coming into this contest having won on debut at Fontainbleu and when running out an impressive winner of a Group 3 at Maisons-Laffitte last month.
Jockey Christophe Lemaire settled the 33/1 shot at the rear of the group in the middle of the track. He travelled sweetly throughout and made smooth headway to join the leaders with a furlong to go.
Dick Turpin, in the hands of Ryan Moore, had been in front since ‘The Bushes’ but began to tire up the hill, allowing Makfi to surge in to the lead and land the best part of the £400,000 prize by a length and a quarter.
A thrilled Delzangles said: “It's amazing. We liked him as he's a son of Dubawi and a good looking horse..
"We weren't really worried about the ground and he's proved he's a very good horse.
"Maybe now we'll come back to England for the St James's Palace Stakes.
"The French Guineas is a possibility but it's only two weeks away and he's only run three times, so maybe we'll come back for Royal Ascot."
Lemaire added: “I'm very pleased, he won well last time but we were worried about his lack of experience.
"Today his condition had improved and he travelled well all the way. When I got the gap he really kicked. He has a very good turn of foot and is a top-class horse.”
Trainer Richard Hannon was responsible for both the second and the third, Dick Turpin and Canford Cliffs.
He said: “They have both run super races, and you can't really say too much more than that.
"Richard (Hughes) said the Dip didn't suit him (Canford Cliffs) but a furlong and a half out I still thought he had won it.
"They proved they are two very good horses and I am thrilled with them."
