Royal Ascot: Campanelle awarded Commonwealth Cup at expense of Dragon Symbol after stewards' enquiry
Campanelle was awarded the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot following a dramatic stewards’ enquiry – having initially been beaten in a photo-finish by Dragon Symbol.
Winner of the Queen Mary 12 months ago, Campanelle was in the firing line throughout under Frankie Dettori and while all her rivals were seemingly feeling the pressure in behind, Wesley Ward’s filly was still travelling well.
However, suddenly Oisin Murphy’s mount Dragon Symbol (4-1) quickened smartly and headed Campanelle, with the two then pulling clear of the pack.
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With Campanelle (5-1) drawing back alongside Dragon Symbol, Archie Watson’s three-year-old began to drift to his right, carrying the American across the track with him.
Murphy switched his whip into his right hand, getting his mount straightened up, and the two went at it hammer and tongs for the final half a furlong.
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There was little between them as they flashed by the line together, with Dragon Symbol a head in front before the inevitable inquiry was called.
Winning trainer Wes Ward said: “I said earlier if we were in the States or Kentucky, we’d be drinking champagne already. Both horses ran fantastic, you can take nothing away from them, they dug down deep and were only inches apart there.
“I think it was a validated result as far as racing in the States is concerned, they came all the way across the track. Archie Watson came over and shook my hand – he’s a true gentleman.
“She really is [good], especially being her first start of the year. For her to come since the Breeders’ Cup, on heavy ground and to get through it and to have a performance like that is a true testament to how good she is.
“I actually thought [the rain] boded well for her chances. We didn’t know if she would like this heavy ground but we knew that at least she did like the soft.
“Winning at Ascot, no matter how you get there, is special. These memories, especially with my children here, since the onset back in 2009 and to have my first winner, Strike The Tiger, take her to post is a very nice touch.
“[Ascot] has changed my life.”
On future plans, Ward added: “We’ll sit down with the owners. She had a really nice work on the July Course [at Newmarket], that might be back a little quick for an effort like today. I ran in the Maurice de Gheest in the past, she’s showed she has an affinity for that track and I think she’d do well on the surface.
“It’s very good spacing for her, so that may be something we discuss.”
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