‘Navy’ Conquerors the ‘Seas’ at Meydan

[Wandering Eyes]

Before the gates flew, all of the attention was focused on Godolphin's Master Of The Seas (Ire), a winner of the G2 Superlative S. and fourth in the G1 National S. at two, however, his stablemate Naval Crown (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) had other ideas and fended off that rival's late charge to win the Listed Meydan Classic over 1600 metres on Thursday.

Breaking better than his fellow Charlie Appleby yardmate, Naval Crown was content to make the running through the early going and opened up on the field before the far turn. Master Of The Seas, however, had been noticeably fired up and very keen from fifth. The son of Come Alive traveled beautifully at the head of affairs as Master Of The Seas still tugged in fourth entering the straight.

Saving all of the ground at the fence, Naval Crown had built up enough cushion that despite Master Of The Seas's best efforts once tipped out to make his run in midstretch, the final margin was 1 3/4 lengths. The latter's earlier exertions undoubtedly blunted his finishing punch. Yurman was a distant third, 9 3/4 lengths back.

Third at second asking in the Listed Pat Eddery S. at Ascot last July, the colt saluted in a York maiden over seven furlongs and then improved further to take third in both the Sept. 6 G3 Prix la Rochette at ParisLongchamp and the G3 Prix Thomas Bryon Jockey Club de Turquie at Saint-Cloud on Oct. 2. Shelved for the year, Naval Crown was third after tracking the pace in the G3 UAE 2000 Guineas on Feb. 4.

Come Alive, who scored her biggest win in the Listed Prix Amandine and was also second in the Listed Prix Lilas, threw Naval Crown as her first foal. Her latest produce is a Lope de Vega (Ire) filly. The daughter of Dansili is out of English listed winner Portrayal (Saint Ballado), who also filled the frame in the G2 Prix Robert Papin, G2 Prix d'Aumale and G3 Middleton S.

The extended family is flush with black-type winners, all tracing to fourth dam and G3 Prix de Royaumont conqueress Truly Special (Ire) (Caerleon). G1 Irish Oaks heron Moonstone (GB) (Dalakhani {Ire}), as well as G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Cerulean Sky (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) are both among their number, as is boom G1 Australian Oaks victress Colette (Aus) (Hallowed Crown {Aus}) among many others. Click for the Racing Post chart or Video.

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