Godolphin one-two as Hawkbill wins Princess Of Wales’s Stakes

Hawkbill made all of the running to deny Frontiersman as Godolphin and trainer Charlie Appleby had the first two in the G2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes over a mile and a half at Newmarket, UK, on Thursday, July 13. 

Last season’s G1 Eclipse Stakes winner broke well and went straight to the front under James Doyle, with the William Buick-ridden Frontiersman settling in fourth of the six runners. 

Frontiersman took closer order approaching the final quarter mile and quickened well to join his stable companion by the furlong-marker before drifting left towards the far rail. 

Hawkbill galloped out strongly to score by three quarters of a length in 2m 31.00s on good ground, with Frontiersman rallying as the front two came home almost four lengths clear of Algometer in third. 

Charlie Appleby commented: “I am delighted with Hawkbill. We knew that he would set a decent gallop and I said to James that he would be dangerous if he was given an uncontested lead and left alone to do what he wanted.

“We were also pleased with Frontiersman. He was still wandering around a bit but hopefully the penny will drop with more experience. 

“I feel that Frontiersman has proven that he is a good horse, having put up two solid performances at Group level, and it was no disgrace to finish second to Hawkbill here. 

“He was unraced as a two-year-old, lightly raced as a three-year-old and is still a bit inexperienced and learning on the game. 

“We will look towards the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes (G1, 1m 4f, July 29) at Ascot with Frontiersman. We will get him around a turn there with a rail to run along and hopefully he will come on again.

“We know that Hawkbill excels in extreme conditions and we have to give him a break at some point. I keep trying but he keeps knocking the box down a few days after each race!

”Hawkbill is an Eclipse winner and no mug. He is now a multiple Group winner.”

James Doyle added: “It was a great training performance by Charlie Appleby. Hawkbill is a horse that you have to serve it up to a bit because he takes life so well and gets so fresh. 

“He ran well in the Coronation Stakes, then went out to France, and has turned up on his A-game here. On his best form, this race was well within his compass. 

“He enjoyed himself out in front. I went out with a game plan to I let him roll along at whatever speed he is was comfortable at, fill him up and give him plenty of time to really hit stride.

“He is very tough and, when Frontiersman joined me, he felt him coming and dropped down a gear. 

“I think a mile and a half with ease in the ground is his optimum conditions. He has got away with the ground today and the rain we had has definitely helped him.”