Teofilo’s Cross Counter Dominates the Gordon

[Wandering Eyes]

   What looked a trappy four-runner renewal of Goodwood’s G3 Qatar Gordon S. turned out to be anything but as Godolphin’s Cross Counter (GB) (Teofilo {Ire}) bossed the contest to put the G1 Epsom Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee (GB) (Farhh {GB}) firmly in his place. This race has long served as a trial for the G1 St Leger, but the winner will be unable to run in the Doncaster Classic as he is a gelding. Coming off a success in Ascot’s Woodford Reserve H. July 14, the 7-4 second favourite was allowed to stride to the front soon after the start by William Buick. Always comfortable there, he readily drew clear of the 6-4 market-leader Dee Ex Bee from before the furlong pole and hit the line in course record time with 4 1/2 lengths to spare, with Bombyx (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) eight lengths behind in third. “That was a lovely performance from him and he’s not the finished article yet,” his rider said. “He stays in training and it will have opened a lot of doors for him now. He’s very talented and is only going to improve. We went an even gallop and it was not a falsely-run race by any means and he quickened from the front and was relentless to the line.”

CROSS COUNTER (GB), 127, g, 3, Teofilo (Ire)–Waitress, by Kingmambo.
O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby; J-William Buick. £85,065. Lifetime Record: 6-4-1-0, £129,365.

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