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Modern Games well on top in G3 Tattersalls Stakes

Racenews

Modern Games took another significant step forward in his fledgling career with a decisive victory in the G3 Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on Thursday, 23 September.

The Charlie Appleby-trained juvenile, successful in a nursery handicap at Doncaster’s St Leger meeting earlier in the month, soon led Trident towards the far rail as the six runners split into three groups of two.

Modern Games held the overall advantage by the halfway point in the seven-furlong contest and found plenty after kicking on for William Buick approaching the final quarter-mile. Cresta and Harrow drifted towards the far side a furlong and a half from home and tried to challenge Modern Games along with Trident soon after, but the Dubawi colt quickened further clear inside the final furlong to score by two and a half lengths.

Charlie Appleby said: “William rode a great race on Modern Games and the plan was always to try and put the rest of the field to the sword early, knowing that our horse would handle conditions.

“He is a very straightforward horse, who has done nothing but progress. We spoke about tactics beforehand and I told William not to be scared of going forward because he leads all the gallops at home. It was natural for him to do that job today.

“I was confident that, once they hit the rising ground, they would have to quicken to go past Modern Games as he was going to maintain that gallop to the line.

“The G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf might suit him and it’s something that we will definitely put in the melting pot. We were very lucky with Albahr winning last weekend and both horses have the right profile for the race – they are solid, go on quick ground and have natural pace.”