Exciting colt Cobra Eye shed his maiden tag at the second time of asking in a thrilling finish on day one of the Qatar Goodwood Festival.
Following a promising debut, in what looked an excellent Novice, at Haydock 11 days ago hopes were high the Phoenix Thoroughbreds owned runner could graduate into the winners’ enclosure and he didn’t disappoint.
Despite showing a few signs of inexperience on the South Downs track the juvenile was a willing partner for Frankie Dettori who placed the John Quinn trainee perfectly, getting cover in behind runners from a wide draw. Staying out of some scrimmaging in the main body of the field, Dettori used his position as a launchpad for his winning move just over a furlong out. Clearing away from the pack alongside Fuwayrit the two horses settled down to battle it out with Cobra Eye getting the nod in a photo over Ryan Moore’s mount.
“I knew he was second two strides from the line and that man there has got him up.” said a delighted John Quinn pointing to Frankie Dettori in the winners’ enclosure. “Frankie’s probably the best jockey in the World, he rode The Wow Signal for me and Signora Cabello in the Papin. He’s always very welcoming when we ring him to ride and he actually rang us to ride Cobra Eye; we were so pleased to have him.”
In addition to his effusive praise for the Italian rider, Quinn was also glowing in his assessment of Cobra Eye’s performance.
“He’s a very nice horse, a little bit raw, and we won’t overdo him,” continued Quinn. “He’s got a nice pedigree, and extra furlong wouldn’t go astray. He only made his debut 11 days ago, he’s gone to Haydock and back and come all the way down here. He’s taken it really well, he’s a nice animal. Phoenix Thoroughbreds bought the filly (Signora Cabello) from me last year, and they’ve been brilliant. They’ve sent me some nice horses.”
As far as the next target for this exciting prospect, it could be a case of waiting to confirm whether the colt will take up his engagement in the Gimcrack Stakes at York next month with Quinn adding:
“I’ll have to speak to the team, and we’ll put our heads together and go from there. We entered him in a seven-furlong race this morning.”