Quorto stars in Superlative Stakes

Quorto laid down a strong early marker for next year’s Classics with a commanding victory in the seven-furlong G2 Superlative Stakes at Newmarket’s July Festival on Saturday, 14 July.

The two-year-old Dubawi colt, an impressive debut winner over six furlongs for trainer Charlie Appleby at the same course on 22 June, broke smartly under William Buick and soon disputed third of the seven runners.

Quorto travelled strongly into the race and quickened well to take the lead approaching the final furlong before powering clear to win by three and three-quarter lengths over Cape Of Good Hope in 1m 25.48s on good to firm ground.

Charlie Appleby said: “We were confident coming in to this race that Quorto had definitely come forward since winning on his debut and that the step up in trip was going to suit.

“He has shown some gears today and William said that the horse has just got a great racing mind – he travels very sweetly in your hands.

“Quorto has picked up well on the rising ground and is an exciting horse, for sure. Being by Dubawi, one would hope that you are going to see a bit more improvement as time goes on.

“I would say that he might go for the National Stakes (G1, 7f) at the Curragh (16 September). Seven furlongs looks to be his trip at the moment, but hopefully a mile will be for him further down the line.”

William Buick commented: “Quorto really impressed me today. He has done everything right at home and is just very natural.

“His father Dubawi won this race in 2004 and I am sure that this will give His Highness Sheikh Mohammed plenty of pleasure.

“I was travelling so well and it got to a stage in the race when I had to go and give him the message to go and stretch. Ideally, we would have liked something to follow for a little bit longer.

“I really liked the pace he showed. He had to make up a bit of ground on Cape Of Good Hope and did it very easily. For an inexperienced two-year-old, I thought he did exceptionally well.

“He has plenty of speed and doesn’t need to go further for now. I am sure there will be some flashy races being looked at for him and he should make it into a lovely three-year-old.”