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| Staff Writer |
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In an exhilarating renewal of the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot, Going The Distance surged from the back of the pack to claim victory.
The race, which featured 19 runners competing over a mile and a half, was highly anticipated, with Gilded Water drawing much attention.
Ultimately, it was Going The Distance, ridden by Rossa Ryan and trained by Ralph Beckett, who triumphed in a thrilling finish, crossing the line just ahead of Neski Sherelski. Meanwhile, Gilded Water finished a distant 12th in the race.
Beckett said: “I said yesterday that Doha wasn’t a plot, but this was a bit of a plot. When Going The Distance won at Kempton, I think he was our only winner in April, and got a few pounds for winning there, so it all fitted together like a glove.”
He added: “I am very fortunate Hector rode a winner for us yesterday, and to have Rob Hornby and Rossa, we are very fortunate to have three fellows really going places. Today Rossa was foot perfect on this fellow, he really was. He got it absolutely right, we planned it, it was a balls of steel ride and it worked out well.
“We will see what the handicapper does, but I think he’s certainly bred to get a little bit further, I wouldn’t mind thinking of that. We will enjoy today. Today was the plan.”
Ryan said: “Fair play to Ralph, he's been plotting this lad all year. There was a question mark about the ground, but he did a nice bit of work last week and we were all hopeful that he'd run a big race.
"I got shuffled out turning in, but Going The Distance is very gutsy. To be fair, he picked himself up at the top of the straight and he kept galloping for me. He had a little look around when he was in front, but he did it well and should go on. When he gets on softer ground, he'll be better again.”
Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Neski Sherelski, said: “It was a fantastic ride from Jamie [Spencer]. I am very proud of the horse. It is frustrating not to win, but he ran great. We’ll see how he pulls up and speak to Barry [Taylor], who owns him, but we probably won’t be rushing him back – that was a big run on hard ground, but he’s really exciting for the future.”
Go Daddy’s co-trainer William Muir said: “I am delighted. I came here thinking he had a big, big chance and that the step up to a mile and a half would suit. If it had been soft ground, he’d have won easy, but he copes with this ground fine and he’s run a blinder. As I said to Lewis [Edmunds] coming in, we can go wherever we want now.”
1st- Going The Distance (Marc Chan) Ralph Beckett /Rossa Ryan
2nd- Neski Sherelski (Barry Taylor) Joseph O’Brien /Jamie Spencer
3rd- Go Daddy (Perspicacious Punters Racing Club) William Muir & Chris Grassick /Lewis Edmunds