Sussex or Saratoga could be next after authoritative Summer Mile success for Master Of The Seas

Master Of The Seas stamped his class on the Group 2 Fred Cowley MBE Memorial Summer Mile and could be the latest star from Charlie Appleby's Newmarket yard to fly the Godolphin flag abroad later in the year. 

The colt has been campaigned sparingly since failing by a short-head to beat Poetic Flare in the 2021 2,000 Guineas, but he showed all his potential remains as he opened up to win by four lengths from runner-up and 11-10 favourite Aldaary.

In a race described as "messy" by winning rider James Doyle, outsiders Classic Causeway and New Kingdom opened up a huge lead in the early stages only to capitulate on the home turn, with Master Of The Seas sweeping through from off the pace to win the third Group 2 of his career in style. 

"He's quite a sensitive horse and not one you dig in the ribs and hold your position early on," said Doyle. "You have to let him find his own rhythm in a race. I was quite far back but in my comfort zone and off the bend they've stopped.  

"To be fair, the ground isn't too bad and that showed in the performance he was able to show on it. He always runs well after a break and no doubt Charlie will have a plan for him."

Master Of The Seas: back to winning ways at Ascot on SaturdayCredit: Steve Bardens

Asked if that plan was likely to be at home or abroad, Doyle added: "That will be down to Charlie, but if I was a betting man, I'd imagine it would be around the world. 

"We've dipped our toe into hot waters with him before and he's just come up short, but that's often been at the end of his campaign. He just takes time between runs but he behaved impeccably today. He's obviously growing up." 

The winner was cut to 12-1 (from 16) with Paddy Power for the Group 1 Qatar Sussex Stakes on August 2 and, although connections didn't rule out a potential clash with Coral-Eclipse winner Paddington at Goodwood, the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga on August 12 could well be the frontrunner. 

Alex Merriam, assistant trainer to Appleby, said: "He'd been working well and we'd been looking forward to running him. The [good to soft] ground was a little bit of an unknown but he's handled it well, which was nice to see. He's relatively lightly raced but that's just the way he's been. 

"You have to remember that if the winning post had been a yard further back, he'd have probably won a Guineas and it would be nice to see him win a Group 1."       

On what might be next, Merriam said: "I've just spoken to Charlie and he mentioned the Sussex as a possibility, but if not he could go to America and the Fourstardave over a mile at Saratoga. Those were the two options he mentioned and we'll see how he goes. On his day he's talented and put them to bed quite easily today."

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