Frankel Impressive in Dewhurst

Frankel enhanced his tall reputation at Newmarket on Saturday with an impressive score in the Group 1, $507,000 Dewhurst Stakes, maintaining his perfect record while handing the disappointing Dream Ahead and Saamidd their first defeats.

Slowly away in a rough start under Tom Queally, the 4-6 Frankel was pulling rather hard as he moved into fifth place in the six-runner field of 2-year-olds going a straight seven furlongs. The Aidan O’Brien-trained maiden winner Roderic O’Connor was winging it on the front end, clear of the two longshots in the field, Waiter’s Dream and Glor Na Mara. Frankie Dettori had Group 2 Park Stakes winner Saamidd tucked along the rail in fourth as two-time Group 1 winner Dream Ahead trailed the field under William Buick.

There was no change in the order until Frankel began moving toward the front inside the three-eighths pole. Dream Ahead, who had never been further than six furlongs before, attempted to follow him but was soon struggling.

Frankel cruised to the lead approaching the three-sixteenths-pole and was soon clear, Queally always keeping the Galileo colt’s mind on his business. From that point the issue was no longer in doubt as Frankel strode out a 2 1/4-length winner over the game 25-1 Roderic O’Connor with Glor Na Mara third and Waiter’s Dream fourth. The 5-2 Dream Ahead weakened to finish fifth, beaten 6 3/4 lengths with the 7-1 Saamidd tailed off in last, 16 3/4 lengths behind Frankel, who was clocked in 1:25.73 on good to soft ground.