3 minute read
Hollie Doyle and Archie Watson's fine week continued as Saint Lawrence went on to Wokingham Stakes success.
The talented five-year-old showed some smart form at two for Roger Varian but seemingly lost his way of late and was well beaten at Newmarket on his seasonal reappearance.
Connections decided a change of scenery was in order and it certainly appeared to do the trick as Saint Lawrence stayed on strongly to Royal Ascot success on a first outing for Archie Watson.
The well-backed Apollo One ran a bold race on the front end but could eventually only finish within a length of the winner.
Juan Les Pins kept on well to finish a neck back in third while Mums Tipple filled the fourth spot under Frankie Dettori.
Charlie Hills' Ozario was sent off the 7/2 favourite and finished a respectable sixth.
It was a third success for both trainer and jockey this week who enjoyed Group 1 glory when Bradsell landed the King's Stand Stakes on the opening day.
Archie Watson said: "I am very grateful to Mr Deer for sending him to us. He felt the horse would benefit from a change of scenery. He's always shown us plenty at home, and he's a very nice horse to have around. I am just delighted to get the job done at the first time of asking."
He went on to add: "To have three runners in a race like the Wokingham, they've got to be high-rated horses. I fancied all three of them and made sure Hollie chose which one to ride so it wasn't my fault, and she chose right!"
Reflecting on his Royal Ascot week, he said: "It is incredible. We came here with a handful of 20/1 shots really, and to win three races is just beyond my wildest dreams. It is amazing."
Doyle said: "I had the choice of Archie's runner and thankfully I chose the right one. They all work very well at home, but this horse Saint Lawrence was having his first run for us – we knew there was ability in there somewhere in the locker and he's been working well and the blinkers helped.
"He took me through the race beautifully, I had a dream run and almost got there too soon. When I pushed the button he felt like he idled a little bit, but he did it well. He recently did a piece of work with Bradsell, who I rode, and Mike Murphy gave me a lead – working good horses together can bring them on.
"We're a great team and I don't feel any pressure when riding for Archie. I know his horses inside out and he leaves it to me most of the time. Thankfully it has paid off.
"It's been an amazing week for both me and Tom [Marquand, husband], and it's great having our families here. My dad couldn't be here today, but he's glued to the TV at home.
"I can't put it into words – to have the winner [Bradsell] on the first day was amazing and you think 'well, we'll do well to better that' so to walk away from Royal Ascot with three winners, after being off for three months at the start of the year [with a broken elbow], is incredible."
