The most impressive victory at Newmarket on Thursday came away from the Craven Stakes. Portcullis made a striking debut in the Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes for the Gosdens.
His victory was notable for a number of reasons, In running, he took a long time to learn the job, racing greenly in rear under Ryan Moore in the early stages. However, from the halfway stage onwards, he showed superb acceleration. By the winning post, he was five-and-a-half lengths clear of his nearest rival.
Another aspect of his dominant victory worth noting was the colours of Moore’s attire. They were the royal silks, with HM The King & Queen likely owning a horse worth following this season. He is a home-bred colt for them, being out of their mare Castle Lady and by Frankel.
That breeding suggests a potentially stellar performer. Even so, this win was one worth taking note of, with connections rightly excited about the season ahead.
“Maybe we should take a small step before a big step” – Gosden
On his future, John Gosden spoke to the Press Association, via Racing TV, about what that could hold over the coming months.
“He was a little lost leaving the gate, but he picked up and travelled well. Ryan said he found a nice rhythm and he left him alone so there we go – there goes the handicap mark!
“It’s obviously pleasing to win like that and you don’t know what the second and third are as they are all unraced horses, but it was a pleasing start and Ryan was very happy with him, albeit embarrassed by the winning margin.
“What we do now is try to keep the feet on the ground and probably look for a novice to learn. Maybe we should just take a small step before we take a big step.”
The greenness he showed in the early stages warrants the discussion of educating him on the racecourse. An immediate rise into Group company could come too soon.
Nonetheless, the royal racing manager, John Warren, is dreaming big: “He’s really exciting and he looks like he has got some nice aspirations ahead.
“John liked him last year as a two-year-old but he had a little setback in November. It’s nice to see him come out and show he has the talent John thought he had last year.
“Ryan was very complimentary and a throwaway line was ‘I think you could be brave’ which I think is indicative of the feel he got for the horse which is interesting given he is not a man who wastes his words.”