By Sean Cronin
Mick and Janice Mariscotti's ultra-consistent 6-year-old gelding Coltrane (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}–Promise Me {Ire}, by Montjeu {Ire}) settled for placings in this term's G1 Gold Cup and G1 Goodwood Cup and exacted revenge on Courage Mon Ami (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Quickthorn (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) with a determined effort in Friday's G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup at York.
Coltrane, a 14-length runner-up in this marathon contest last year, had risen through the staying ranks to notch victories in last term's G2 Doncaster Cup and this term's G3 Sagaro S. and raced in fourth through the early stages. Inching into third at halfway, the 11-4 second favourite made continued headway to wrest control from habitual frontrunner Quickthorn approaching the two pole and was driven out in the latter stages to withstand the late threat of Courage Mon Ami by 1 1/2 lengths in game fashion. Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) fared best of the remainder and stayed on to finish a half-length adrift in third.
“That was fully deserved, he's been incredibly consistent and he is adored by everyone,” commented Anna Lisa Balding. “Tom [Marquand] gave Quickthorn such a great ride at Goodwood and he fully deserved that, but it was Coltrane's turn today and he's done it in brilliant style. I'm thrilled to win another Group 2 for Mick and Janice [Mariscotti] as they have been incredibly patient. He had surgery two years ago and he hasn't looked back since, but that is why he doesn't go to Australia. He's like a pet, he's adorable and I think it will be Ascot [Champions Day] next as he ran so well in the [G2 British Champions Long Distance Cup] race last year.”
Stable companion Nate The Great was pulled up in the home straight and vanned off the track for treatment. “Hopefully Nate The Great will be okay,” Balding added. “They have put a compression boot on him and taken him back to the stables. The vets are there and they are doing what they can.”
Reflecting on the performance of Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami, Franke Dettori said, “He wasn't keen, but it took him a while to warm up and then he came good. The [Group 1] penalty and shorter trip made Coltrane a better horse than me. We didn't let Quickthorn go today and that made a big difference. It was the right result today, Coltrane and my horse first and second in the Gold Cup and first and second today. The [G1] Prix du Cadran over two-and-a-half [miles] would be tailor-made for him and I guess he'll come back for the Gold Cup next year without me.”
🏆 Coltrane strikes 🏆
Coltrane gains just reward for fine efforts in defeat in Group 1 company this term by seeing off the challengers to land the @WbysHamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes under @oismurphy. #EborFestival @AndrewBalding2 | @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/TAGqRbZ9IH
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 25, 2023
Friday, York, Britain
WEATHERBYS HAMILTON LONSDALE CUP S.-G2, £250,000, York, 8-25, 3yo/up, 16f 56yT, 3:27.92, g/f.
1–COLTRANE (IRE), 131, g, 6, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Promise Me (Ire), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Hula Angel, by Woodman
3rd Dam: Jode, by Danzig
(50,000gns Ylg '18 TATOCT). O-Mick & Janice Mariscotti; B-Rockfield Farm (IRE); T-Andrew Balding; J-Oisin Murphy. £141,775. Lifetime Record: MG1SP-Eng, 21-8-7-1, $998,278. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Courage Mon Ami (GB), 134, g, 4, Frankel (GB)–Crimson Ribbon, by Lemon Drop Kid. O-Wathnan Racing; B-Hascombe & Valiant Stud Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden. £53,750.
3–Giavellotto (Ire), 131, c, 4, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Gerika (Fr), by Galileo (Ire). O-Scuderia La Tesa Ltd; B-Societa Agricola La Tesa SRL (IRE); T-Marco Botti. £26,900.
Margins: 1HF, HF, 3HF. Odds: 2.75, 2.50, 5.00.
Also Ran: River of Stars (Ire), Broome (Ire), Quickthorn (GB). DNF: Nate The Great (GB).
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