3 minute read

Charlie Appleby's excellent run on the Newmarket July course continued as he produced a quickfire Saturday double when Kemari (7/1) galloped on gallantly to Fred Archer Stakes success.

It was a sixth winner from his last ten runners for Charlie Appleby as the 2021 Queen's Vase winner Kemari bounced to something near his best following a fair fifth-place finish behind the recently retired Haskoy in the Al Rayyan Stakes at Newbury.

Ridden positively under James Doyle, the gelded son of Dubawi was never more than a length off the pacesetting Outbox and the pair controlled the tempo throughout.

James Doyle asked his mount to close on the longtime leader approaching the furlong marker and it soon became clear the front-running duo had it between them. Kemari kept on resolutely to get the upper hand in the closing stages and eventually finished half a length too strong for rank outsider Outbox (40/1) to record a first success in two years.

Kemari's stablemate and last year's St Leger runner-up, New London, was all the rage in the market before the off but the 11/10 favourite was never able to get on terms having hit a flat spot at a crucial stage and finished a further neck behind Outbox back in third.

William Haggas' Al Aasy, who was having his first start since winning in Listed company at Ascot in May 2020, never travelled and was eased out of contention by jockey Jim Crowley some way from home.

Appleby said: "It has been two years since he has won but bless this horse, he has not missed a beat all year. As I said to James (Doyle) today he is a horse that has always been forward going so ride your own race and don't forget you are on a fit horse. 

"We knew Outbox would go forward and if he were to falter at the business end, I said don't be afraid to press on with your fella as you are on a fit horse. James [Doyle] gave him a great ride and he has got that sort of a race in him. 

"That is his level. He might nick a Group 3 somewhere, but he was a fit horse coming into today."

Appleby earmarked the Group 3 Glorious Stakes at Goodwood for eventual third New London. 

He added: "I was pleased with that run, and he has had a good blow. He will move forward for that. He would like a bit more juice in the ground. 

"It has always been our plan to have a second half of the season campaign and that is why we didn't go down the Hardwicke Stakes route as that is a tough race to go into taking on Group One horses there. 

"We saw it last year (how tough it was) when I campaigned Hurricane Lane that way and as they say you learn by your mistakes. 

"I'd say we would take New London to the Glorious Stakes next."