John Oxx, the 'Quiet Man' of British and Irish racing, once gain let his horses do the talking for him as he landed his second winner of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster with only his second runner when the impressive Saddler's Rock proved just too good for Godolphin's Opinion Poll in the Group 2 Stobart Doncaster Cup on Friday, writes Elliot Slater.
Having scored with his first British runner of the season the day before when the Aga Khan-owned Alanza swept to a majestic victory in the Group 3 Sceptre Stakes, Oxx showed just why he is so selective in his raiders this side of the Irish Sea when Saddler's Rock, the only three-year-old in the field, stayed on best of all over a gruelling two-and-a-quarter-miles on a very windy Town Moor, to snatched the glory from Frankie Dettori on Opinion Poll, who had appeared home and hosed with 150 yards to run. Those following the horse betting tips would have been very impressed with the manner in which the victor finished.
Saddler's Rock is from the final crop of the late, great Saddler's Wells and looks set to keep the super-stallion's name in the headlines for a good few seasons to come with connections believing that their highly progressive young stayer will make up into a serious Cup horse for next season and will be trained with all the big staying races in mind. Winning jockey Niall McCullough was full of praise for the winner who he suggested only does enough, but had plenty left in the tank at the business end of the contest. Anyone following the Betfair horseracing betting should keep an eye on him.
Betting firms certainly sat up and took notice of the fine display at Doncaster from Saddler's Rock and have already taken the precaution of cutting him to just 14/1 to land next year's Ascot Gold Cup over an extra two furlongs.