Glorious return to form for Journey

Graham Clark
September 19, 2020 4:19 am

Appleby runner lifts Newbury Listed honours.

Glorious Journey gave his season a much-needed boost when returning to winning ways at the scene of his greatest success in the Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury.

Having claimed the Hungerford Stakes at the track 12 months ago, the Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old had looked out of sorts in two Pattern race outings in Britain this season after returning from a spell in Dubai.

Appearing to appreciate a drop down to Listed company, the Dubawi gelding quickened away smartly late on in the seven-furlong prize to cross the line with a length in hand from 1000 Guineas fourth Final Song, completing a treble for James Doyle and double for Appleby.

Doyle said of the 11-2 shot: “He has got the form in the book, but he had two below-par runs and we were on the comeback mission today. The conditions suited and it was beautiful ground out there.

“The little bit of cover early was key as he likes to just follow one for a couple of furlongs, then I was able to let him go just inside the two and he quickened up well.

“He travelled super and he is back to how he was before. He was a little bit fresh in his first two starts and it may have just taken a bit of work to put him on his A game, but he was really relaxed today. I imagine he will step up back up into Group race company now.”

Doyle had earlier been on the mark aboard the George Boughey-trained Mirage Mac (5-1) in the Racing TV Novice Median Auction Stakes and Humanitarian (7-2) for John Gosden in the Dubai Duty Free Handicap.

Glorious Journey’s victory was the second leg of a quick-fire brace for Appleby, who sent out Yibir (5-2) to victory in the 40 Year Anniversary Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes.