By Tom Frary
Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan's purple patch continued relentlessly at Newmarket on Saturday as Starzintheireyes (GB) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}–Crystal Hope {GB}, by Nathaniel {Ire}) proved the strongest stayer in an attritional renewal of the 10-furlong G3 Palace Pier Zetland Stakes. Runner-up to the subsequent G3 Solario Stakes winner Field Of Gold (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) over seven furlongs on debut at the July Festival here, Marc Chan's 160,000gns Tattersalls December Foal purchase had opened his account over that trip at Leicester last month and raced under restraint early at the back with stamina unproven.
Allowed to enter the fray in his own time, the 9-2 second favourite wore down Green Storm (Ire) (Circus Maximus {Ire}) inside the final 100 yards for a length success, with 3 1/4 lengths back to the 11-10 favourite Shackleton (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in third. “He's learning and needed organising, but he's a big stayer and this sort of soft ground or worse are his conditions,” Ryan said. “He's going to grow up a lot next year.”
Tonight, Matthew, I'm going to be a promising stayer 🤩
Starzintheireyes looks all about stamina as he comes home best in the Zetland Stakes.
The @RalphBeckett & @Rossaryan15 combination continue to carry all before them 🔥 pic.twitter.com/Uukh6y9PJg
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 12, 2024
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