Closing second for Wise Approach in G2 Norfolk Stakes

Promising juvenile Wise Approach ran an excellent race on his Pattern debut as he chased home Charles Darwin in the G2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot on Thursday, 19 June. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt, bidding to emulate his half-brother Perfect Power with victory in the five-furlong sprint, raced in mid-field towards the far rail as Charles Darwin led the 15 runners down the stands’ side. 

Wise Approach travelled well into the race two furlongs out and stayed on strongly for William Buick over a furlong from home. 

Charles Darwin found plenty to repel all challenges inside the final furlong, with Wise Approach putting in good late work to take second in the closing strides and go down by two and a quarter lengths. 

William Buick said: “Wise Approach ran super. Obviously, we were drawn on the other side of the track to the winner, although he won well. I’m very happy with my horse.”

Charlie Appleby said: “We felt we were probably drawn on the wrong side, but the most important part of today was for the future. I told William to drop Wise Approach in, as we didn’t feel there was the strength there to be able to carry us through the race.

“He has run a really good, solid race against a very good, high-class racehorse in Charles Darwin. I think we could probably look at six furlongs now and ride a similar sort of race, just drop in. I think he’s learning with racing and doing it the right way around.”