Glorious week continues for King as Asymmetric bags trainer another Group win

Asymmetric: son of Showcasing was continuing breeder Redpender Stud's fine run of form in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood

Asymmetric (2): looked a quality prospect in the RichmondCredit: Edward Whitaker

Alan King's exceptional week at Glorious Goodwood continued as Asymmetric displayed an electric turn of foot to win the Richmond Stakes.

Dual-purpose trainer King had claimed Tuesday's Group 1 Goodwood Cup over two miles with Trueshan, and showed he is the man for all distances as his speedy juvenile surged home under Martin Harley in the Unibet-backed Group 2 over 6f.

Asymmetric was a fast-finishing second in the July Stakes but was not to be denied here. Harley edged the youngster off the stands' side rail to make his challenge and he put the contest to bed rapidly, with half a length between the 11-4 favourite and runner-up Khunan at the line.

King, who was quick to credit Harley for Asymmetric being sent to him, said: "I thought he'd run very well but I wasn't thinking he had to win this, whereas I thought Trueshan really did on Tuesday. I'm thrilled with him, he has the most wonderful temperament, he's so laid back and he's got a fairly lethal turn of foot."

Asymmetric was cut to 5-1 (from 8-1) by Paddy Power for next month's Gimcrack Stakes at York, although King had no future target in mind immediately after the race. He added: "I have no idea what we'll do, I'm going to enjoy today. He's in the Gimcrack and entered in the Group 1 in France [Prix Morny]. We'll see what the team want to do."

Although King has been no stranger to big-race success this week, this was a first Group-race success for Harley in Europe since September 2017 and one he relished.

Harley said: "He's so laid back, he has a great cruising speed and loves being ridden with loads of confidence because when he gets there he doesn't do much in front.

"Full credit to Alan, he's done a fantastic job to train the winner of the Goodwood Cup and now a Group 2 winner over six furlongs. That tells you everything about Alan."

Harley was handed a totting-up ban of 18 days for whip offences when a disciplinary panel reached their decision ten minutes before the Richmond, although a third of the ban was deferred for 42 days. The rider learned of his outcome after the race, and added: "It will be lot easier to take on the chin now."

Ottoman on Leger trail

The Cazoo St Leger was one Classic that eluded Johnny Murtagh during a stellar career in the saddle, but he looks to have unearthed a credible candidate as a trainer for Doncaster's big race in Ottoman Emperor, a cosy winner of the Group 3 John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes.

Getting into the Goodwood spirit in his Panama hat, Murtagh was fist-pumping, high-fiving and sharing kisses after the OTI Racing-owned three-year-old made it four wins from just five career starts under Ben Coen.

Ottoman Emperor (Ben Coen) fends off the closers to win the Gordon StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He's very tough and very hardy and we were expecting a very good run, but to come out on top of a very good field is great," said Murtagh. "We don't know really know how good he is or how good he can be.

"He got to the front a little bit too soon, but Ben said he wasn't stopping and, when the other horses got to him, he put his head down. He's genuine and tough and stayed the distance very well."

Paddy Power halved the winner's price to 10-1 for the St Leger on September 11, and the final Classic of the season was certainly at the forefront of Murtagh's thoughts.

He added: "We were here to find out if he was a mile-and-a-half horse and could he stay a mile and six, and I think he answered a lot of questions today.

"I'll speak to OTI and the team, but we'd love to give him a shot at the English St Leger next."

Buick on a roll

William Buick clawed some ground back on Flat jockeys' championship leader Oisin Murphy with a 221-1 day-three treble.

Going all out for a first title, Buick moved to within eight winners of Murphy after landing the 1m2f handicap on Qaader, the 7f fillies' maiden with Wilderness Girl and the 5f handicap aboard Whenthedealinsdone.

Thea Gosden Hood (right) and Candida Crawford celebrate dead-heating in the Magnolia CupCredit: Edward Whitaker

Magnolia Cup dead-heat

The tenth running of the Markel-backed Magnolia Cup ended in dead-heat with John Gosden's daughter Thea and equestrian trainer and freelance rider Candida Crawford sharing the spoils.

Since its inception a decade ago, the charity race, run over 5½f at Goodwood, has raised over £1.6 million for multiple causes but has never produced a finish as close as this one.

Thea Gosden Hood, riding the Roger Varian-trained Batraan, was unseated before the start but bounded straight into an early lead after the tape was released.

She was joined in the last furlong by Crawford aboard the Jamie Osborne-trained Good Earth and the pair fought out a stirring finish, with the judge eventually calling a dead-heat.

Gosden Hood said: "To be honest, it all is a bit of a blur, but I don't think we could get a better result except if all ten of us finished in a line. It's just a dream. Candida and I have been so close throughout the process.

"I rode so badly. I had a tricky time on the way down and after that I think the adrenaline just got to me. I never really checked who was around, I never changed my hands like we practiced and then just at the line I lost my balance.

"We've raised over £50,000 for Smart Works, which is just the most incredible charity and that will change the lives of so many women. That's what the story is."

Crawford added: "It was a dream come true. It's been manic, it's been busy but I've had an amazing trainer in Jamie Osborne."

Proud of his daughter, John Gosden said: "She did really well and I thought a dead-heat was a great result. They all had to train hard for the race and it's great.

"She did very well to land on her feet when he reared up and not let him go. A loose horse would have really messed it up."

Varian added: "Thea gave him a good ride and they came back safe which is the main thing. When they were doing the parade he did not like waiting and it was a nervous moment, but once he cantered away he was fine. It's good to be involved."

Ten-day ban for Levey

Sean Levey has been banned for ten days after committing two separate riding offences on the card.

Levey was handed four days for using his whip above the permitted level on third-placed Gubbass in the Richmond Stakes and then got another six days for improper riding on fifth home Ardbraccan in the 7f nursery.

The Group 1-winning rider's ban will run from August 12-21.

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