McEnroe' serves up a mighty effort
The 'John McEnroe' of racing was Sir Mark Prescott's description of Pallasator after the gelding put up another excellent effort when second in the Gr.2 Qatar Goodwood Cup.
Sir Mark's analogy was delivered after Pallasator had chased home Big Orange (pictured below), who was completing a second consecutive victory in the race, and crossed the line one and a quarter lengths ahead of Qatar Racing's grand stayer.
Pallasator, who was ridden by Oisin Murphy, finished a head in front of third-placed Sheikhzayedroad 14 ran.
Sir Mark's 'McEnroe' comment refers to Pallasator's pre-race antics, which have been unruly in the past, although Murphy seems to have mastered the problem by mounting the seven-year-old on the course and lobbing to post ahead of his rivals.
The Doncaster Cup, which Pallasator won last year, is once again in future plans for Pallasator, and Sir Mark said: ‚"I thoroughly enjoyed watching it as we had this convoluted Prescott plan that came off perfectly. I'm lucky to have a jockey who could carry it off perfectly too. From my point of view, it was a joy to watch. It's just a shame that beastly thing [Big Orange] kept on going! He's an exam question this horse. There are always things to put right. Rosie ([Jessop - who looks after Pallasator] really does deserve all the credit as she's the only person in the world who likes him.
"He's just a fascinating horse - if you like that sort of problem. He's like one of those kids who throw their weight around in the pub until someone challenges them and then they back down. That's exactly what he's like. Just when I think I've worked him out, he keeps changing. I thought the winner was jolly good though.
"He'll head back to Doncaster now. Placing is not the problem - it's getting the best out of him. He's been so horrible for so long but, rather like John McEnroe, everybody loves him now!"
Sun Angel, from Henry Candy's stable, also put up a very pleasing performance on today's Goodwood card when fifth in a fillies' maiden.
Three horses line up for Qatar Racing on the fourth-day card at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, including evergreen sprinter Pearl Secret, who tackles the Gr.2 King George Stakes over five furlongs. He could do no better than finish 14th of 17 runners in the Gr.1 King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, but the loss of two shoes did not help his cause, and a strong pace would be in his favour.
Qatar Racing is also represented by two runners in the Gr.3 L'Ormarins Queens Plate the Ger Lyons-trained Queen Catrine and the Mick Channon hopeful Opal Tiara. The last-named won a Listed race at Carlisle on her latest start, while Queen Catrine, at five the oldest runner in the race, scored in the Gr.3 Brownstown Stakes at Fairyhouse when she was last seen in action.
Gary Carroll, who was in Queen Catrine's saddle for that victory, is reunited with her and she wears blinkers on this occasion while Oisin Murphy rides Opal Tiara. Channon believes the filly can step up to Group Three level, but is disappointed with her draw in stall 12, on the wide outside of the field.
Photo: Dan Abraham