Aidan O'Brien trainee could now be headed to the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot after a following a thrilling finish to the Group One showpiece over a mile at Newbury. The Galileo filly tracked leaders on far side of group but was never in the lead. She was strongly pressed in the final furlong and gamely came through to claim the title.
Last year, Rhododendron recorded a victory over 1 1/4 miles in the Gr.1 Prix de l'Opera before finishing second by a length in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar. Her first start of 2018 resulted in a fourth-place finish behind Cracksman in the G1 Prix Ganay.
Last year’s Lockinge Stakes’ runner up was held up in mid-field until two furlongs out. But he soon made good headway, chasing leaders. Lightning Spear put up a strong challenge near finish but just failed landing a second two years in a row.
The Pivotal colt was short head behind Rhododendron calling for a photo finish. There was just a short-head between them at them line and it condemned Lightning Spear to second place for the second year running.
Lancaster Bomber weakened in the final furlong as Lightning Spear went into top gear under Osin Murphy. The son of War Front led throughout and could have been runner-up if he had been able to keep up the pace. Surprisingly, Zonderland did well initially and steadily tracked leaders in fifth position but grew tired two furlongs out. Favourite Beat The Bank got held up towards rear but managed to make some headway mid-race. But the distance was too much for him.
Overall a thrilling and unexpected finish.
1st Rhododendron (A. O'Brien, R. Moore), 2nd Lightning Spear (D. Simcock, O. Murphy), 3rd Lancaster Bomber (A. O'Brien, S. Heffernan), 4th Dutch Connection (C. Hills, J. Spencer), 5th Deauville (A. O'Brien, W. Lordan), 6th Accidental Agent (E. Johnson Houghton, C. Bishop), 7th Suedois (D. O'Meara, D. Tudhope), 8th Addeybb (W. Haggas, J. Doyle), 9th Alexios Komnenos (J. Stack, C. Hayes), 10th Limato (H. Candy,H. Bentley), 11th Zonderland (C. Cox,A. Kirby), 12th Beat The Bank (A. Balding,J. Crowley), 13th Zabeel Prince (R. Varian,A. Atzeni), 14th War Decree (A. O'Brien,P. Beggy).
Distance 1 mile (1,609 metres), Surface: Turf,Track: Straight, Qualification: Four-years-old and up, Weight 9 st 0 lb, Allowances, 3 lb for fillies and mares, Purse £350,000 (2017)
Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretaristworld.com