You are here

G2 Duke Of York third for Comicas

Comicas continued his excellent start to 2017 with a battling third on soft ground in the G2 Duke Of York Stakes over six furlongs at York, UK, on Wednesday, May 17. 

The Charlie Appleby-trained four-year-old, who had made four dirt appearances at Meydan, UAE, over the winter including a fine second in the G1 Al Quoz Sprint at the end of March, showed good early speed and was always prominent.

He disputed second early on and quickened well under James Doyle to take a narrow advantage before the two-furlong marker but was headed by Tasleet a furlong from home.

Comicas kept on after being passed for second by Magical Memory soon after to go down by four lengths in total behind Tasleet, who won in 1m 12.74s, with the fourth Mobsta a further length and a half in arrears.

Charlie Appleby also saddled Jungle Cat (William Buick) and Baccarat (Adam Kirby), who both finished down the 12-runner field in the testing conditions. 

The trainer commented: “I am delighted with Comicas, who has translated a good level of form from dirt to turf.

“I think the improvement out in Dubai was not necessarily due to the fact that he was racing on dirt but, more importantly, the drop back to sprinting and he has proven that today. 

“I think that he will be seen to better effect on a sounder surface and hopefully we can take in a few more big sprints this season. 

"The ground went against both Jungle Cat and Baccarat. William said that Jungle Cat was struggling at the halfway point, while Adam felt that Baccarat travelled OK but couldn’t pick up on the soft going. 

“Comicas and Jungle Cat will certainly be considered for Royal Ascot, while we might give Baccarat a little break and think about keeping him for Dubai again.”