Godolphin

9 ran 1m23.51  
Owner: Mrs J. S. Bolger

A high class renewal of this Group 1 for juveniles; it attracted 3 of the top 5 two-year-olds in Europe, and, with that trio coming to the fore, the form is likely to be difficult to better in the remainder of the season; New Approach clearly has his quirks, but he put up an admirably professional performance to stamp himself as the best two-year-old in Europe, with the promise of better to come; the pace he set early was modest (the overall time is not all that good) but it was gradually wound up from 5f out and in the end nothing could get him in trouble. NEW APPROACH (IRE) confirmed the excellent impression he had made on his previous starts to record another impressive win, showing high-class form and shaping as though there will be even better to come; he showcased his share of quirks beforehand, with his trainer very keen to ensure he was close to his equine companion throughout the pre-parade process, even saddling him upsides; as he had done on his last start, New Approach refused to walk through the arch to exit the pre-parade ring, even after being hooded, so he was brought back out via the path to the stable yard and onto the track, not even entering the parade ring through that route, eventually being ponied to the start before the other runners had even been mounted; for all his pre-race antics, he again was admirably straightforward in the race, bouncing out and settling well in the lead, gradually winding up the pace, edging clear from over 2f out and gamely staying on for a comfortable success; he promises to stay much further next season and remains a most exciting prospect. RIO DE LA PLATA (USA) had looked a very smart colt when winning at Goodwood and did nothing to take away from that in this contest, running to a similar level of form despite coming from a few lengths back at halfway in a race run at a less-than-strong gallop; having been held up, he quickened well to go in pursuit of the winner from over 1f out but could find no more in the closing stages. MYBOYCHARLIE (IRE) was just a bit below his Morny form over the longest trip he has tackled and on the firmest going he has raced on; he was held up on the inner, getting a split when he needed it to get into the clear 2f out but making no further impression late on; different conditions may suit him slightly better, but he deserves to be behind the 2 who beat him here in the pecking order, and unlike them his prospects of staying further are not strong. LIZARD ISLAND (USA) was close to his Goodwood form without threatening to win on what was the firmest going he has encountered; he was close up early and kept on without making any impression late on. GREAT BARRIER REEF (USA) was stepping up in trip and again below the form he showed in the Gimcrack on his debut; he was prominent in the early stages but faded from 2f out. FAMOUS NAME was pitched in at the deep end and is well worth another chance to show himself a useful prospect at a slightly lesser level; he tracked the leaders but could make no impression from 2f out. MINNEAPOLIS was out of his depth and not discredited on this much firmer going, making no impression on the leaders from 2f out. MAGNA CUM LAUDE (IRE) was outclassed, trailing for much of the race. VIA GALILEI (IRE) was set a very stiff task, and can still be expected to improve a fair bit on the form of his debut at a more realistic level, chasing the leaders until weakening from well over 2f out.