Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted May 19, 2018 Journalists Share Posted May 19, 2018 Not seen over a mile since finishing an arguably unlucky second in Newmarket’s G1 1000 Guineas last May, Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had all the required pace to come out on top in Saturday’s G1 Al Shaqab Lockinge S. at Newbury, narrowly denying the veteran Lightning Spear (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) by a short head. Well-supported into 10-3 favouritism, the G1 Fillies’ Mile and G1 Prix de l’Opera heroine had a perfect pace scenario tracking fellow Ballydoyle group 1 performers Deauville (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Lancaster Bomber (War Front) who pressed on with urgence on a track hugely favouring those on the speed. Committed approaching the final quarter mile by Ryan Moore, the filly was alone in the centre as Lightning Spear made his bid on the stand’s rail. Typically game and determined on the run to the line, she had her head down where it mattered and the photo revealed it was just the bob of heads which had decided it. “I thought I’d got there, but I wasn’t really sure–it was hard to know,” Moore said. “She’s a group 1 winner at two, three and now four and has had an incredible career. She could have won a lot more at three, so this is well deserved.” RHODODENDRON (IRE), 123, f, 4, by Galileo (Ire)1st Dam: Halfway To Heaven (Ire) (MG1SW-Eng, G1SW-Ire & G1SP-Fr, $941,139), by Pivotal (GB)2nd Dam: Cassandra Go (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)3rd Dam: Rahaam, by Secreto O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Ryan Moore. £198,485. Lifetime Record: Hwt. 2yo Filly-Ire, G1SW-Fr, GSW & G1SP-Ire & GISP-US, 13-5-4-1, £1,309,796. *Full to Magical (Ire), GSW & G1SP-Ire, $246,117, & to Flying the Flag (Ire), GSW-Ire & GSP-SAf, $195,702. View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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