While most eyes were focussed on Royal Ascot, the Phoenix Thoroughbreds team tuned their gaze to Newmarket where promising colt Cadre Du Noir ran out an eye-catching winner on just his second start on Saturday.
A promising third on debut at Nottingham on his only run as a juvenile, the son of War Front delivered victory to the Matryn Meade team, who less than 24 hours previously had saddled Advertise to win the Commonwealth Cup for the Dubai based investment fund.
Well-backed before the off Cadre Du Noir broke on terms at the mile start and settled into a smooth rhythm with pilot Rob Hornby content to sit on the outside of the 12 strong field. Travelling strongly, he moved like the like a potential winner for a long way out before Godolphin’s last time out success story Wings Of Time emerged as a challenger on the rail. Hornby was patient on his mount, and then when he asked the question, his partner responded well and held off his nearest rival despite not having the rail for guidance.
Well thought of in the yard the team at the innovative fund are likely to look at stepping him up in class for his next start.