By Tom Frary
Springing a surprise in the G2 Temple S. at Haydock on Saturday, John Connolly and Alan Spence's Kerdos (Ire) (Profitable {Ire}) became the latest from the never-ending Clive Cox manufacturing line to garner one of Britain's big sprints. Boasting just one black-type success so far in his career, having mastered the Listed Bullet Sprint S. in September, the 4-year-old had caught the eye when staying on into fifth in Newmarket's G3 Palace House S. three weeks ago but still had a jump to make to get to this level. Using Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince Of Lir {Ire}) as a lead horse for the first half of the five-furlong contest, the 12-1 shot was sent after last year's G1 Nunthorpe S. hero by Richard Kingscote passing the two pole and edged ahead from the furlong pole for a half-length success.
“We thought he'd improved from last year and we also thought he was better than he'd shown this year,” Kingscote said. “I got a nice lead into it, through the first furlong I wanted a bit of cover but once I did he dropped his head nicely. There are still things we can work with on him, but he's a nice horse going forward. He's the type of horse Clive does really well with.”
Part-owner Alan Spence added, “It's the third time we've won this race as we won with his sire, Profitable and also with Priceless so we've had three Temple S. winners, all with Clive which takes a bit of doing. The faster they are, the better Clive likes them! We were a bit worried about the ground today, but they haven't used the straight course and it's not as heavy, if anything it's only soft. Royal Ascot is the plan, it was before today.”
Adam West said of Live In The Dream, “That couldn't have gone better. He missed the break by half a beat today and I think that was because the horse next to him was playing up. He's done everything I wanted to see today and he's having a nice blow–I think he's going to be a superstar this year. All the others had had runs, fair play the winner is nice and has been produced brilliantly but knowing what he has left in the tank for next time, we've avoided a penalty so we couldn't have asked for more.”
“We're not going to Ascot, it's too stiff a track for him, so we're going for the [G3] Coral Charge at Sandown–that's always been the plan and it's a our home track,” West added. “He can get some confidence there before he heads for bigger things but I'm absolutely delighted.”
Pedigree Notes
Kerdos is the first foal out The Mums (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}), whose second is the dual stakes-placed Dark Vintage (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}). Kin to the Listed Roses S. winner Inquisitively (GB) (Ten Sovereigns {Ire}) and the listed-placed Pixieleen (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}), she hails from the family of the aforementioned Temple winner Priceless (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and the G3 Chipchase S. scorer Aeolus (GB) (Araafa (Ire). Also connected to the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup heroine Rebelline (Ire) (Robellino), her unnamed 2-year-old colt is also by Dark Angel.
Improving 4yo! ✊
Kerdos steps up on his Palace House 5th as he comes home strongly to land the Group 2 Temple Stakes on ground he clearly loves!
Excellent work @RKingscote 👏@Betfred | @haydockraces pic.twitter.com/9WXpoqc0dy
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) May 25, 2024
Saturday, Haydock, Britain
BETFRED TEMPLE S.-G2, £125,000, Haydock, 5-25, 3yo/up, 5fT, :59.64, sf.
1–KERDOS (IRE), 132, c, 4, by Profitable (Ire)
1st Dam: The Mums (GB), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
2nd Dam: Ballyalla (GB), by Mind Games (GB)
3rd Dam: Molly Brown (GB), by Rudimentary
1ST GROUP WIN. (100,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-John Connolly & A D Spence; B-KCS Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Clive Cox; J-Richard Kingscote. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 13-4-2-1, $190,563. *1/2 to Dark Vintage (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), SP-Eng & US. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Live In The Dream (Ire), 132, g, 5, Prince of Lir (Ire)–Approaching Autumn (GB), by New Approach (Ire). (€4,000 Ylg '20 GOFFEB; £24,000 Ylg '20 GOFSPT). O-Steve & Jolene de'Lemos; B-Lorna Doyle (IRE); T-Adam West. £26,875.
3–Seven Questions (Ire), 124, g, 3, Kodiac (GB)–Get Up And Dance (GB), by Makfi (GB). (£58,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Victorious Racing & Fawzi Nass; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-George Scott. £13,450.
Margins: HF, 2 1/4, NO. Odds: 12.00, 8.00, 16.00.
Also Ran: Asfoora (Aus), Beautiful Diamond (GB), Rogue Lightning (Ire), Equality (GB), Vadream (GB), Flora Of Bermuda (Ire). Scratched: Makarova (GB).
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