PartialLogo
Reports

Two the magic number for Johnston as Main Edition battles to Albany victory

Right down the middle: Albany winner Main Edition and James Doyle take centre stage chased by La Pelosa with Fairyland leading home the far-rail runners in third
Right down the middle: Albany winner Main Edition and James Doyle take centre stage chased by La Pelosa with Fairyland leading home the far-rail runners in thirdCredit: Edward Whitaker

The relentless march of Mark Johnston towards 4,194 winners and the honour of Britain’s winningmost trainer continued unchecked at Royal Ascot on Friday but, for once, numbers did not matter so much.

Well, not that number anyway. Royal Ascot exists in its own bubble for the Johnston team and Main Edition’s smooth victory under James Doyle in the Albany Stakes made it two for the week, following Baghdad’s success in the King George V Stakes on Thursday.

“It’s the same every year – to come away from here with just one winner means so much,” Johnston said. “I had a few years at the beginning of my career when I couldn’t get near the scoresheet and there’s pressure off after having that win.

“We knew at the start of the week our best runners were towards the end so it’s great that we’ve been able to get the winners.”

Mark Johnston after the Albany StakesRoyal Ascot 22.6.18 Pic: Edward Whitaker
Mark Johnston: 'Her winning here says a lot for our other horses too'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Johnston is unlikely to be too interested in the numbers 16-1 either, that being the price bookmakers introduced his unbeaten filly in to the Qipco 1,000 Guineas market after her win – the same as her Chesham Stakes-bound stablemate Natalie’s Joy.

Johnston said: “We came here knowing she was pretty useful. We think our team of fillies are very strong this year and her winning here says a lot for our other horses too.

“It’s very early to be thinking about [the Guineas], although we were joking with the owner before the race that we’d be back here next year for the Coronation Stakes after winning the Guineas!”

Royal assistance for Doyle

He added: “There are lots of good two-year-old races to go yet this season, but we’ll work back from the Cheveley Park. That said, James said she’d get seven furlongs no problem so we’ll have to think about that too.”

As well as thinking Main Edition would get further than six furlongs, Doyle, who was hit with a two-day ban for overuse of his whip, revealed he had perhaps had some royal assistance in winning.

He said: "I went up where the carriages went down earlier where I found myself – it must be slightly quicker but I had nothing to race with and she was such a willing partner."


Race result, analysis and replay


Main Edition was chased home by La Pelosa, who only narrowly failed to keep her unbeaten record in going down by a neck, with Fairyland third for Aidan O’Brien.

La Pelosa’s trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Main Edition had that little more experience but we're delighted with La Pelosa. I thought she was going to get there a furlong out but Main Edition found another gear.

“Our filly kept on well and a step up in trip will be next for her. She's a nice, scopey filly with substance and a great mind. She's beautifully bred and all she'll do is keep on improving.”


Members can read the latest exclusive interviews, news analysis and comment available from 6pm daily on racingpost.com


Peter ScargillDeputy industry editor

Published on 22 June 2018inReports

Last updated 19:07, 22 June 2018

iconCopy