Godolphin enjoyed a treble of Pattern race wins at Sandown on Thursday night. None were more impressive than Talk Of New York, who routed his rivals in the Listed Heron Stakes.
The son of Wootton Bassett looked set for the 2000 Guineas after an early win this season at Newmarket. However, Charlie Appleby instead decided to bide his time, which is swiftly looking a good move. Talk Of New York was sent off the Evens favourite against seven rivals for his first Listed race, but treated his opposition with disdain. He and William Buick kicked clear for a decisive five-and-a-half length victory.
Stablemate Nation’s Hope’s presence also helped him to set a fast time on the clock. A strong pace certainly benefitted the three-year-old, with another Appleby runner Time To Turn a relatively distant second.
Buick could not help but show his admiration, suggesting the performance was only reminiscent of his work off the track.
“He’s improved in everything he’s done and he picked up well and sustained it off that fast pace,” Buick said, as reported by Thoroughbred Daily News. “He’s more mature now and this is what he’s been showing at home.”
“He deserves a chance to take them on” – Appleby
The 2000 Guineas appears to have produced two star milers. Bow Echo demonstrated a withering turn of foot on the Rowley Mile to down Gstaad, the pair eight lengths clear of the third. Gstaad has since proved that no fluke by cosily winning the Irish equivalent since.
Talk Of New York looks to be of a similar mould, though. Whether he could have competed with that duo at Newmarket earlier in May is another question, and his trainer Charlie Appleby is confident that patience will prove a virtue as Royal Ascot is now on the agenda.
“He’s been given time and physically he’s done so well for the break, mentally and physically. They went a good gallop and Will was always confident he was going to get there. The plan was always to miss the Guineas and go to the St James’s Palace and I feel he deserves a chance to take on the Gstaads and Bow Echos of the world now.”
Talk Of New York’s odds were slashed for that opening day contest at the royal meeting. He is now a best-priced 6/1 from 16/1 for the 1m contest, exclusive to the Classic generation. The day one race begins at 4.20pm on Tuesday 16 June.