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| Staff Writer |
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Dancing Gemini ran a cracker in defeat after going down by a neck to Lead Artist in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury. The 4YO had been in superb form this season, landing the Listed Doncaster Mile before stepping up to claim the Gr.2 Mile at Sandown.
Trainer Roger Teal is now eyeing Royal Ascot revenge in the Gr.1 Queen Anne Stakes. "He's taken it very well, there's not a bother on him. He's eaten up and is fresh and well," Teal said of his colt.
"He lost nothing in defeat, really, just prize money! It was a fantastic run. I can't help but feel a little bit gutted to get beaten by so small a margin, but hopefully he'll have his day soon enough."
Dancing Gemini's campaign has mirrored last year's star miler Charyn, with both horses winning at Doncaster and Sandown before narrowly missing out at Newbury. Charyn subsequently triumphed at the Royal meeting, a pattern Teal hopes his son of Camelot will follow.
"The pattern has stayed the same so far, I had hoped he wouldn't copy Charyn so literally!" he said. "It bodes well, and we hope we can go and get our revenge. He's very, very smart and I'm sure he's going to have his day."
Rosallion, winner of last year's Irish 2,000 Guineas and the St James's Palace Stakes, was considered Dancing Gemini's main rival at Newbury but could only finish third, two and a quarter length behind the principals.
All three horses are expected to renew rivalry in the Queen Anne Stakes, with Teal confirming: "It'll be straight to Ascot for us, straight to the rematch in the Queen Anne."