G3 Jersey Stakes second for Space Blues

Space Blues just missed out on a third straight win over seven furlongs when going down by a head in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on Saturday, 22 June.

The three-year-old Dubawi colt, making his Pattern race debut, was covered up in mid-division of the 18 runners by James Doyle as the field converged into the centre of the course.

Space Blues quickened well between horses a furlong and a half from home, but had to be switched left to continue his challenge soon afterwards.

Space Blues ran on relentless and took up the running inside the final furlong but was joined almost immediately by Space Traveller who went on to win by a head in 1m 24.57s, on ground described as good, good to firm in places. The third was a further one and a half lengths adrift.

Charlie Appleby said: “I think we’ll end up coming back down in trip with Space Blues.

“He just has an abundance of pace. He quickened up there and I thought he was going to put the race to bed.

“We can take nothing away from the winner as he has outbattled us. James said that Space Blues still galloped out to the line, but I think a drop back in trip will be the plan now.

“Something like the Prix Maurice De Gheest (G1, Deauville, France, 6f 110y, Sunday, August 4) could be an option.”