Aesterius scorches Sandown turf in Dragon Stakes
Goodwood beckons next for the Richmond or the Molecomb.
Aesterius backed up his fine run at Royal Ascot with a dominant display in the Dragon Stakes at Sandown. Trained by Archie Watson, Wathnan Racing paid GBP 380,000 for him at the Goffs UK Breeze-Ups and he looked full of promise when making a winning debut at Bath a month later. Having since finished fifth in the Norfolk Stakes behind fellow Wathnan-owned juvenile Shareholder, beaten only a length and a half, Aesterius was a 6-4 favourite to get back on the winning trail and James Doyle always looked like he had matters under control. With Richard Hannon’s The Actor dropping away tamely, the Mehmas colt only had Hugo Palmer’s filly It Ain’t Two to worry about close home and he was not unduly pressed to score by a length and a quarter.Aesterius is much too good and wins the Dragon Stakes in superb style under @the_doyler for @Archie_Watson ! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/AgDfQuhdPR
— Sandown Park (@Sandownpark) July 5, 2024
Given the owners’ Qatari connection, it is no surprise Aesterius is likely to head to the Goodwood Festival next. Watson said: “He ran a huge race at Ascot and like a lot of the races there it was affected by the draw. He raced against Whistlejacket the whole way and didn’t get the chance to race against anything else. He ran a huge race and was only beaten just over a length. “With half an eye on Goodwood this was the obvious race to come to in the meantime. He’s sharpened up and James was very happy. We would have preferred something better to lead us deeper into the race, James was just trying to keep a hold of him so he wasn’t landing in front three furlongs out. “He’s done everything right and I’m sure he will improve again for getting a stronger pace to run at.”
Aesterius won the Dragon Stakes in the manner of a very smart horse. Goodwood next for Archie Watson’s youngster pic.twitter.com/jFvQJx67zF
— Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) July 5, 2024
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