King George V Stakes winner Enceladus (6/4F) continued his rise through the ranks with a convincing victory under Dylan Browne McMonagle in the 12-furlong G3 Maison Perrier Gordon Stakes.
The three-year-old pinched a couple of lengths on the strong-travelling Geryon (15/2) approaching the final furlong and kept on stoutly to prevail by just over a length. The 110-rated Venetian Lace (25/1) was more than four lengths further back in third.
A son of Sea The Stars, Enceladus is now unbeaten in three starts this season for Joseph O’Brien and could target the G1 St Leger in the autumn.
Browne McMonagle said: “Enceladus is a lovely, big, straightforward horse. He has done nothing but improve; each run he is getting better and sharpening up with experience. I think he is going to be a very nice horse going forward.
“It was a straightforward race. We went nice and even all the way, and he picked up well when I needed to go. He did [handle the track]; he is a lovely, big mover. He handles that ground well and I think he has that bit of class.
“I do think he is up to that level [G2 and G1] with a bit of time, but he is doing nothing wrong. As you can see, he is still a big baby; when he is getting there, he is just doing enough, but he was a good winner.”
Asked about stepping up in trip for the St Leger, he added: “I am sure it the distance will be no problem for him, but he is not short of gears either; he has plenty of gears for a mile and a half. I think as he develops, it will be no problem going up in trip, which will open up options for him going forwards.”
Geryon’s rider Colin Keane said: “I suppose the last day was over nine furlongs, and it was quite obvious there was not going to be a lot of pace. Today, we were always going to take our time. I thought we would go a bit quicker, and he was just in my hands for the first couple of furlongs, but after that he ran well and travelled into it well.
“I thought for a few strides that we were going to get to Dylan’s horse (Enceladus), but he picked up and went away again. I would say the winner is smart, but we are smart as well; he is just a bit of a work in progress. He probably did not see it out as well as the winner, but in time I think he will. He wears earplugs to help him relax, so he is a work in progress, but he is a horse with a big future, hopefully.”
Charlie Johnston said of Venetian Lace: “I am pleased. After two very disappointing runs, it is good to be back on the front foot again. My gut feeling on first watch was that, having travelled into it very well, maybe the 12 furlongs just stretched her a bit and coming back to a mile and a quarter could be ideal.
“I am pleased to see her back at the right end of the race. We will see how she comes out of this. One thing we know for certain is that she is a better filly on better ground, so giving her a break now and losing the ground probably would not be the smartest move. If the ground stays like this, we will look to keep her busy for the next six weeks or so.”