Dark Vision comes good in Royal Hunt Cup

Graham Clark
June 17, 2020 3:15 pm

Former Classic contender back to winning ways.

One-time Classic hope Dark Vision won for the first time in nearly two years when claiming the Royal Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot.

The Mark Johnston-trained colt was bought by Godolphin after lifting the Group Two Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in July 2018 but had been beaten in all his 13 subsequent races, including the 2000 Guineas last year.

Ridden by William Buick, Dark Vision (15-2) finally got his act back together as he came with a strong late run to win one of the most competitive one-mile handicaps in the calendar.

Montatham (8-1) was beaten length and a half in second, with Pogo (25-1) another half a length away in third and the winner’s stablemate Vale Of Kent (22-1) fourth.

Buick said: “He was bought by the connections to be a good horse and now he has rewarded them with a Royal Ascot win, which is always nice.

“He travelled through the race beautifully today. I was always happy where I was in the race really – tracking the right horses.

“It was all about getting the split at the right time and once we got the split, he quickened up very well.

“Today we got a glimpse of what we saw from him as a two-year-old. From his Newcastle run we saw that he was nearly back to his best and today I think we did see the true horse.”

On racing behind closed doors, he added: “It’s not ideal at all, but it’s fantastic that we’re racing and it’s great racing, as Royal Ascot always is.

“It’s very well organised from all the parties responsible. We’ve got the show on the road, which under the circumstances is great.

“But of course, we can’t wait for normality to come back and the crowds to come back.”