So close for Platinum Star in G2 July Stakes

Platinum Star continued a bright start to his career when just failing to get up by a short-head in the G2 July Stakes on day one of Newmarket’s July Festival, Thursday, 11 July.

The two-year-old colt, returning to six furlongs for trainer Saeed bin Suroor after filling the runner-up spot in the five-furlong Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot, broke slowly and soon raced a close last of the seven runners.

He was asked to move up and challenge by Harry Bentley with a quarter-mile remaining and ran on strongly in the final furlong. Platinum Star took second from Visinari close home and nearly caught the winner Royal Lytham, who just held on in a photo finish in 1m 11.16s on good to firm ground.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Platinum Star ran another excellent race and I am very happy with his performance.

“He has been second in the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot and second again today. He tries hard.

“He has plenty of options, including heading to Glorious Goodwood for either the Richmond Stakes (G2, 6f, August 1) or Vintage Stakes (G2, 7f, July 30), or going out to Ireland for the G1 Phoenix Stakes (6f, the Curragh, Friday, August).

“We will see how he comes out of this race before making a decision about his next race, but he looks a nice colt for the future.”