Technician has the answers in Prix Royal-Oak

PA Sport Reporters
October 27, 2019 4:15 pm

Group One triumph for Martyn Meade-trained grey.

Technician took his record to a perfect three from three on his travels to France this season with victory in the Prix Royal-Oak at ParisLongchamp.

The Martyn Meade-trained three-year-old was a Group Two winner at the track on Arc weekend, and the decision to run again reasonably quickly was rewarded with Group One glory, in the French equivalent of the St Leger, run over just short of two miles.

Sent off at 11-4 and ridden by Arc-winning jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot, Meade’s charge picked up strongly when asked in the straight, quickly overhauling Holdthaisgreen before holding Call The Wind, that pair having finished first and second respectively in the Prix du Cadran.

While only sixth in the St Leger at Doncaster, it has been an excellent campaign for Meade’s grey – and hopes will be high he can make his presence felt in Cup races next term.

Freddie Meade, assistant to his father, told Sky Sports Racing: “He’s got better with every start – he was a Listed winner, a Group Two winner and now a Group One winner.

“He’s done everything we’ve asked and is such a nice horse to have in the yard.

“To think he won over a mile and a quarter in June, to come back and do it over this distance on different ground – he’s been a great servant to us all summer.

“He’s a funny horse, as he never looks like he’s travelling that well – that’s good as he keeps it all for the end, which is a good time to be going the fastest!”

He added: “He’ll have a well-earned rest now and we’ll look at some nice targets next year.”

Frankie Dettori had to settle for fourth place aboard the John Gosden-trained Lah Ti Dar.