Five-star Amiloc remains unbeaten. (Megan Coggin)
Royal Ascot Release
ASCOT, Berkshire, England—Amiloc (11/8F) took his record to a perfect five from five for Ralph Beckett after repelling Irish raider Zahrann in the G2 King Edward VII Stakes.
A dominant four-length winner of the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood last month, the son of Postponed was unable to contest the Derby due to his gelded status.
Ridden handily by Rossa Ryan, Amiloc mastered front-runner Galveston passing the two-furlong pole and kept on well to deny the closing Zahrann (11/4) by three-quarters of a length. Galveston (20/1) held on to third, just over two lengths further back.
Beckett said: “Rossa reported the ground is quick, and it felt quick on him. You could see Amiloc’s stride shortening. I thought the last half-furlong, he wasn’t looking for the line, he was feeling the ground more than anything else. I think we will bear that in mind in future, but he is a gelding. We had conversations last night and this morning about whether we should come. Patrick Cooper, Mr Aykroyd’s nephew and Mrs Aykroyd’s racing manager, decided this was a good idea and I agreed, so it all worked out.
“I don’t think we’ve ever had one with five straight wins, so that’s good. It was a great ride. Rossa is very confident and rode him with plenty of confidence; it set up well for us but sometimes it does
“I think ground will dictate [where we go]. I wouldn’t be afraid to take anybody on with him on slower ground. He is entered in everything, although it is going to take a bit of getting over today by the look of him. If it came up soft next month for the King George, or with a bit of juice, I am sure we would be here.”
Ryan said: “Amiloc was never really comfortable on that sort of ground, and that was the only concern I had. He seemed to move okay to post but, when we came out of Swinley Bottom, I was just feeling it a small bit. I thought he was getting a bit idle in front but he wasn’t, the ground was taking its toll. I thought by God, he is one tough cookie.
“We have gone a nice gallop and didn’t hang around. I had a slight concern turning in because I was feeling the ground. When I sat into him, he changed leads, came alive and I thought perfect, I’ll get to Ryan at the two and then Ben [Coen] is going to have to battle to go by me. It worked out beautifully.
“I would imagine when he gets on slower ground, he will be a better horse again. It is exciting. It is a pity he is gelded, but he is a lovely horse for absolutely brilliant owners. It is brilliant for all the team at home. They have done a fantastic job and deserve all the credit.”
Johnny Murtagh said of the runner-up: “Zahrann lost nothing in defeat. Ben just said they quickened up from four out and just had him off the bridle a little bit earlier than ideal. I am not saying he wants soft ground, but a little bit more juice in it would help him travel a bit longer.
“Finishing second here is definitely more frustrating as a trainer than as a jockey! It is more nerve-wracking beforehand, and it is gutting – you know how hard it is to win here. You see all the people here with their best horses, and we thought we had one, and we still do, but he just wasn’t good enough today.
“I will speak to the team. He had a hard race today and he has been progressive quickly, so maybe he’ll have a quiet couple of weeks. You would love to think he might be an Arc horse one day, and the connections would love that race. He has a bit to go to get there, but he might. “I was really privileged to ride in these colours and you forget what a privilege it is until you go last week and see the Derby, which is the greatest race in the world and was run in honour of His Highness the Aga Khan. For me to deliver now, we have to find the winners on the big days.”
