Lusail Emulates Sire Mehmas With July S. Win at Newmarket

Fresh off a one-length novice win tackling seven furlongs at Newmarket last month, Al Shaqab Racing's Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}) emulated his prolific sire (by Acclamation {GB}) in winning Thursday's G2 Tattersalls July S. dropped down to six furlongs back at the town's Summer venue. He had previously annexed a May 13 York maiden and hit the board on soft ground in a May 28 Pontefract conditions heat. The 15-2 chance was sharply into stride and tracked the duelling speedsters Project Dante (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) and Dig Two (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) in third through the early fractions here. Looming large hard on the bridle as those two wilted passing the quarter-mile marker, he was shaken up to claim a decisive advantage approaching the eighth pole and kept on strongly, despite rolling around up the hill, to deny Asymmetric (Ire) (Showcasing {GB}) and Sam Maximus (GB) (Showcasing {GB})–by a head and the same–in a thrilling three-way finish.

“He ran around a bit going to the line, but it was a big shout going back to six furlongs and he's done it very well,” said trainer Richard Hannon after securing a third victory in the contest. “I thought he deserved to win and, just like his sire Mehmas, he's extremely honest and very chilled out. He wasn't really high up in our pecking order at home and we took him to York and he went there and won. He will get further and I don't think he's just a 2-year-old. I think we'll take him to Goodwood, but whether we'll go over six or seven [furlongs] we'll see.”

Jockey Pat Dobbs added, “I travelled very well into the dip and I knew he'd find because he gets seven [furlongs], but he got a little bit lonely in front. It was a bit close for comfort, but he's very intelligent and laid back for a 2-year-old. Ground wouldn't matter for him, but he wouldn't want it too slow and definitely the faster the better. He has the attitude to step up in trip, he's relaxed and does everything right.”

Alan King was satisfied with the performance of Asymmetric and the trainer said, “He ran a huge race and it was a big step up. He was in front for a stride and has just got nailed on the line, but he has run very well. He is a lovely colt and [jockey] Martin [Harley] has always felt that he would be better on quicker ground. He would be the sharpest 2-year-old we have had.”

Lusail, half-brother to a yearling filly Kodiac (GB) and a 2021 Cotai Glory (GB) filly, is the second of four foals and lone scorer produced by a winning half-sister to G1 Golden Jubilee S. hero Fayr Jag (Ire) (Fayruz {GB}). His third dam Olinda (Ire) (Sassafras {Fr}) posted a runner-up finish in the G3 Athasi S. and is a half-sister to the dam of Listed Premio Torricola victrix and G3 Premio Sergio Cumani third Midefix (Ity) (Night Shift) and Listed Premio Lazio winner Me Ne Vado (Ity) (Brook {GB}). Olinda's descendants include G3 Winx Sunshine Coast Guineas winner Wapiti (Aus) (Love Conquers All {Aus}) and MGSP Listed Premio La Novella victrix Oreade (Ire) (Try My Best).

Thursday, Newmarket, Britain
TATTERSALLS JULY S.-G2, £90,000, Newmarket, 7-8, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:10.57, g/f.
1–LUSAIL (IRE), 126, c, 2, by Mehmas (Ire)
1st Dam: Diaminda (Ire), by Diamond Green (Fr)
2nd Dam: Lominda (Ire), by Lomond
3rd Dam: Olinda, by Sassafras (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (160,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon; J-Pat Dobbs. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 4-3-0-1, $91,011. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Asymmetric (Ire), 126, c, 2, Showcasing (GB)–Swirral Edge (GB), by Hellvelyn (GB). (65,000gns Ylg '20 TADEYG; 150,000gns 2yo '21 TATBRE). O-Ms Leora Judah; B-Redpender Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Alan King. £19,350.
3–Sam Maximus (GB), 126, c, 2, Showcasing (GB)–Daring Day (GB), by Acclamation (GB). (90,000gns Wlg '19 TATFOA; 85,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-John & Jess Dance; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Tom Dascombe. £9,684.
Margins: HD, HD, 1. Odds: 7.50, 11.00, 40.00.
Also Ran: Ebro River (Ire), Eldrickjones (Ire), The Organiser (GB), Tolstoy (Ire), Jadhlaan (GB), Aleezdancer (Ire), Project Dante (GB), Dig Two (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.