Inner City Blues remains unbeaten in G2 July Stakes

Inner City Blues marked himself down as a high-class prospect with a decisive victory in the G2 July Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on Thursday, 9 July.

A taking debut winner at York last month for Charlie Appleby, Inner City Blues lined up against G2 Coventry Stakes runner-up Adaay Of Scarlett and impressive Woodcote Stakes scorer Hickory Lad.

William Buick opted to ride a patient race as he settled the son of Blue Point behind his more experienced rivals, with Adaay Of Scarlett and Hickory Lad racing virtually upsides for much of the six-furlong contest.

Switched towards the centre of the track, Inner City Blues made headway under pressure to lead well inside the final furlong and extended nicely to beat Adaay Of Scarlett by just over a length.

Charlie Appleby said: “Inner City Blues had a gap to bridge coming from a maiden to this race against Stakes horses. We have always had confidence in him because he is a lovely physical. He has the stature of his father Blue Point and is getting stronger by the week.

“What I love about Inner City Blues is that some horses travel and then go backwards when they come off the bridle, whereas he keeps finding. He must be a lovely horse for a jockey to ride because you can slip through the gears nicely.

“Will said that he would not necessarily step straight up to seven furlongs as he feels the horse could get quicker as he gets wiser. We will let the dust settle and see how he does mentally more than anything over the coming weeks. He is already a strong individual, but there is still some mental immaturity there.”

William Buick said: “Inner City Blues showed a little bit of inexperience, like he did at York, and I think there is plenty of improvement left in him. He feels like he would get seven furlongs, although I also have the feeling that he could get quicker. This was only his second start and you would have to be happy with that.”

Stablemate Del Maro posted another creditable effort as he finished third in the G3 Bahrain Trophy, following up seconds in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes and G2 Queen’s Vase.

Held up in rear of the five runners by William Buick, the three-year-old looked to have every chance before his run petered out close home, ultimately going down by a length and three-quarters to Point Of Law.