Time For Sandals continues dream week for Harry Eustace with 25-1 Commonwealth Cup success

Time For Sandals: winner of the Commonwealth CupCredit: Patrick McCann

Time For Sandals continued a dream week for trainer Harry Eustace when causing a 25-1 upset in the Commonwealth Cup under Richard Kingscote.

Eustace had claimed a breakthrough Group 1 success with Docklands in Tuesday's Queen Anne Stakes but didn't have to wait anything like as long for his second.

Eustace, who started training in 2021, enjoyed his first big-race success with Docklands in the 2023 Britannia and also saddled the second in this year's renewal courtesy of La Botte.

Time For Sandals was positioned in the far-side group and powered home to deny 28-1 runner-up Arizona Blaze and 20-1 third Rayevka.

Shadow Of Light, the hotly fancied 6-4 favourite, could finish no better than fifth – beaten three and a half lengths.

What the winning trainer said

Harry Eustace: "We'd planned to follow the American horse [Shisospicy] and the draw had been a concern, but Karl's filly [Venetian Sun, Albany winner] came out of stall one and it gave us the confidence in our side. She's been training very well and a good strong pace to aim at is what she needed.

"It's the hardest place on earth to get winners, Royal Ascot. The horses arrived in very good shape and they've trained super all year. It's all credit to the staff, they do all the hard work, and we've turned up here in perfect shape.

"We knew we'd good horses coming in good form, and then you need the racing luck."

What the winning jockey said

Richard Kingscote: "I've had nice horses to ride but since Sir Michael [Stoute, former trainer] retired this year was up in the air. It was always going to be a year of building back up. I've had a nice bit of support and I'm delighted to get on a filly like her.

"Last year she was a very unlucky placed horse in the Super Sprint. She's progressed all the way through and was unlucky the last time I felt. She did a spectacular piece of work a couple of weeks ago in Newmarket, and I'm delighted to ride Harry [Eustace, trainer] a big winner because he's a gentleman. His yard is such a happy yard, so it's nice to ride a good winner for them.

"They [Royal Ascot winners] are very difficult to come by and I'm delighted."