Christophe Lemaire and Japan dominate as Stay Foolish brings up turf treble

Saturday: Riyadh

Stay Foolish completed a remarkable turf treble for Japanese trainers as jockey Christophe Lemaire put on a riding masterclass, stretching away from Sonnyboyliston and Ben Coen in the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap.

Trained by Yoshito Yahagi – who has achieved huge international success with Lys Gracieux and then saddled a Breeders' Cup double in Loves Only You and Marche Lorraine – Stay Foolish has been plying his trade at middle distances and looked almost too comfortable setting an easy pace out front.

Godolphin's Siskany threw down a big challenge around the home turn but off such steady fractions he had no answer to the finishing kick of Stay Foolish, while Lemaire could hardly believe his luck as he returned to the winner's enclosure for the third time in as many races.

Lemaire said: "Unbelievable. But you know I was very comfortable with that horse because the last morning [work], he looked really beautiful and I had a good feeling.

"I knew he would stay the trip so once I again we took the lead and he was very comfortable in front. He used his stamina and what a performance."

While familiar names such as Princess Zoe and Nayef Road were unable to get involved in the climax to the race, Sonnyboyliston emerged with plenty of credit under top weight.

"It was a brilliant run and I'm delighted," said Johnny Murtagh. "Ben gave him a great ride. Stall 12 was a difficult draw but he was on the fence after going a furlong.

"We followed the winner and the winner quickened up but our lad never gave up and battled on to be second. It's a brilliant run and he's having a good blow, so he should come on for it."

Murtagh added: "We'll go home now but he's got an acceptance for Dubai and hopefully we'll go there."

Authority dominates as Pyledriver fails to fire

The Japanese rampage began as Authority made his class tell in the Neom Turf Cup on the Saudi Cup card, making all the running under Lemaire to score from locally-trained Kaspar and Ebaiyra for France.

Authority kickstarted the fine day for Japan and Christophe LemaireCredit: Edward Whitaker

Last seen when finishing second to Contrail in the Japan Cup over a mile and a half in November, Authority was sent off joint-favourite at 2-1 and backers never had a moment's concern as Lemaire dictated steady fractions before kicking the son of Orfevre clear on the turn.

The disappointment of the race was Coronation Cup hero Pyledriver, whose wide draw forced Martin Dwyer to sit three and four deep and the distress signals were already going out when he was forced to sidestep the fallen Channel Cat early in the straight.

"He was definitely the best horse in the race and I took my responsibility and got to the front," said Lemaire, who reported that the turf track had firmed up since Friday's racing.

"He was very comfortable in front, breathing easily and I knew he could stay the trip.

"I used his long acceleration and there was no contest today."

Trainer Tetsuya Kimura was saddling his first runner outside his native Japan and intends to take the five-year-old on to Dubai next month for the Sheema Classic.

Channel Cat galloped away from the incident in the straight while jockey Joel Rosario received treatment on the track but was passed fit to ride Midnight Bourbon in the Saudi Cup.

Happy Romance pipped by Songline

Lemaire was on the mark again as Japan made it two from two with Songline, who repelled the late charge of Casa Creed and the Richard Hannon-trained Happy Romance in a finish of heads and necks in the 1351 Turf Sprint.

Naval Crown was drawn widest of all in stall 14 and although James Doyle worked a minor miracle to get his mount across to the front, the extra petrol burned told inside the final furlong.

Christophe Lemaire celebrates after winning on SonglineCredit: Francois Nel

Songline has been campaigned largely over a mile in Japan and her stamina was arguably the decisive factor as Luis Saez and Tom Marquand threw everything at her.

"I'm very pleased she was able to find her form again today," said Lemaire, referring to Songline's disappointing effort to close out 2021.

"We had a good trip and she used her turn of foot, at the end she held on. She has won over seven furlongs at Chukyo Racecourse which looks a little bit like Riyadh with a short turn and a long straight. I knew she would be comfortable here."

Hannon was delighted with the show put up by Happy Romance and is looking forward to some big sprinting targets as the year progresses.

Hannon said: "I'm delighted. She ran a huge race and I thought she was going to win. Every year she needs her first run and I sense she needed it there. She could be a very good sprinter this year. Tom said she's one of the hardest fillies he's ever rode

"She's been invited to the Al Quoz in Dubai and we'll probably go there next. Beyond that it will be races like the Duke of York and Diamond Jubilee Stakes."

Riyadh results and analysis

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