Lost Boys confirmed himself as a potential Stakes performer in the making with an authoritative success for David Menuisier in the Golden Gates Stakes.
Lit up early under James McDonald and forced wider than ideal, the 2/1 favourite had work to do on the home turn but showed class to take the gaps and finished off strongly for a half-length success. Amadeus Mozart (14/1) was second, with Joseph O’Brien’s Perisher (5/1) and Nil Gan Dua (22/1) filling the minor places.
A son of Night Of Thunder, Lost Boys started his campaign with wins in a Sandown Park handicap and the London Gold Cup at Newbury, after which he was purchased by Wathnan Racing.
Menuisier said: “It is a real thrill winning here. I won the Hardwicke a few years ago with an exceptional filly [Wonderful Tonight, 2021] when there was nobody here, so this is my second winner here.
“The first couple of furlongs were pretty stressful to say the least as he could not get him to slot in and relax. Then, after the first bend, I was a little more hopeful as he looked like he was switching off and filling up the batteries to be able to finish off the race. And my God, what a finish he has. He is unbelievable. He was absolutely cruising turning in, and then it was a matter of getting the gaps.
“I have said it before – he is an exceptional horse because he is showing different traits every time. At home I would not say he is lazy, but he does only enough, so we do not do an awful lot with him. We just keep him fit, which is a task in itself as he is quite chubby. He is a good doer. I have the same problem, so I know where he is coming from, but he runs quicker than me!
“It is time to celebrate now. We will make plans later, but it is very exciting and Group races cannot be too far away.”
McDonald said: “I cannot claim any credit – Lost Boys was all heart, and he had to be as good as he showed today, because it did not work out well. It was not smooth for me. We never got in a good rhythm at all, apart from halfway down when he had three or four furlongs where he relaxed for me. But he built underneath me so well at the top of the turn.
“He gave me a really nice feel, probably the feel of the week. I have ridden some really nice horses this week for Wathnan and he might be the best of them. He is a gorgeous horse to look at and rides just as good. The future is very bright, so I look forward to watching him from Down Under and seeing where he progresses. I think the guys will have a lot of fun with him.
Reflecting on the meeting, he added: “I have had a tremendous week. Joliestar going down so narrowly was very deflating – she was so gallant. I was so proud of her, and for Chris and the team who have prepared her for such long travels and a big journey, for the air to go out of the balloon was disappointing, but in saying that, we are very proud.
“She had a chance – the race was not run quickly, the first furlong was brilliant, but once the field grouped behind me it was a bit like a wave. She felt the wave coming and she just got racing on me a tad. Halfway down, I felt she was still good enough and was in a lovely rhythm and kept building all the way up the rise. It was a tremendous effort. She has lost no admirers and I was extremely proud of her.
“I would love to see her in the July Cup – I am going to try to have a word with the trainer!”