• Horse Racing

Rock floors Opinion Poll in Doncaster Cup

ESPN staff
September 9, 2011
Frankie Dettori drives Lyric Of Light out for victory in the May Hill Stakes © PA Photos
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Saddler's Rock landed the Doncaster Cup for Ireland when swooping fast and late to deny favourite Opinion Poll.

Opinion Poll has had a superb summer and looked sure to land his third Cup race of the summer when looming up to challenge under Frankie Dettori.

But Opinion Poll was conceding well in excess of a stone and it told late on, with Saddler's Rock powering clear to claim the Group Two contest for trainer John Oxx.

It was a real test of stamina, as Tactician and Tastahil went hard from the outset. Saddler's Rock was tapped for toe down the back straight, but came back on the bridle when his stamina kicked in turning into the straight.

Dettori looked to have his rivals covered after taking the measure of market rival Motrice, but Saddlers Rock came with a sustained run down the outside to score with a bit in hand.

Dettori made up for the disappointment of the defeat of Opinion Poll with the victory of Lyric Of Light in the May Hill Stakes.

Godolphin's filly made a winning debut in a Newmarket maiden a fortnight ago, before being pitched in to Group Two company.

Lyric Of Light took the step up in class in her stride, as she travelled supremely well. Dettori eased her filly to the front a furlong from home and she immediately showed signs of greenness as she drifted to the right and towards favourite Fallen For You.

Dettori corrected his mount and once straightened out she stuck on well and was always holding the favourite - scoring in the manner of a filly who could make up into a classic contender next season.

Requinto put his disappointing display in the Nunthorpe behind him with a gritty win in the Flying Childers Stakes. Having looked a real star in the Molecomb Stakes, trainer David Wachman pitched his juvenile in against the best sprinters in the land in the Nunthorpe and it proved a bridge too far.

Back against his own age group, things went according to script as Wayne Lordon jumped out and tracked the pace before sending his charge to the front at the furlong pole. A smart turn of pace took him two lengths clear and it proved enough to hold off the late thrust of Burwaaz.

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