• Horse racing

Sky Lantern battles to win the 1000 Guineas

ESPN staff
May 5, 2013
Sky Lantern saw off the attention of Just The Judge © Getty Images
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Sky Lantern showed the greater staying power to celebrate victory in the 200th running of the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.

Trainer Richard Hannon had seen Toronado beaten by Dawn Approach in the 2000 Guineas on Saturday, but this time there was only joy as he claimed the first fillies' Classic.

Just The Judge was the biggest threat to Sky Lantern (9/1) and, alongside Winning Express, the trio put on a real battle with a quarter of a mile to run.

In the end Winning Express left the other pair to it - even allowing Moth to snatch third, as Sky Lantern edged out rival Just The Judge by half a length.

"They didn't go over fast - it was all about giving her plenty of cover. She was tough to see it out to the line," said champion jockey Richard Hughes, who claimed his first domestic Classic.

"My wife was so upset [after Toronado's defeat] - I was consoling her all night - but today was great. I believed in this filly. I knew I gave her a bad ride the last day, but she's a good filly and loves that fast ground. It's thoroughly deserved."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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