Native Trail Kicks Away to Convincing National Score

Image: 
Description: 

Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
Native Trail wins the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh

Native Trail  was cut to 5-1 favorite (from 10) for the Two Thousand Guineas (G1) by Paddy Power after a convincing performance in the Sept. 12 Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) Sept. 12, giving Newmarket trainer Charlie Appleby his third winner in the last four runnings of the group 1 race at the Curragh.

The unbeaten son of Oasis Dream  was entering the lion's den as he was taking on another unbeaten colt in 8-13 Ballydoyle-trained Point Lonsdale , but he emerged with the lion's dinner.

He went away impressively inside the last furlong under William Buick to win by 3 1/2 lengths, with game Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) winner Ebro River  half a length away in third.

Appleby, who won the race with Quorto  in 2018 and the brilliant Pinatubo  the following year, said: "It was always the plan after he won the bet365 Superlative Stakes (G2) to come here.

"People questioned why we didn't go for a race like the Champagne Stakes (G2), but I didn't feel that carrying a penalty there on potential soft ground at Doncaster was going to suit him.

"I think this is a great race to be involved in and it's a great weekend to be involved with. To win another National Stakes is very satisfying."

He added: "He's an interesting horse to be around. I took him to a gallop at Newmarket two weeks ago, and if you asked me then would he win a National Stakes I might have been a bit more on the fence, but he came on an awful lot for that and full credit to the team at home.

William Buick, Johnny Kay and Charlie Appleby with Native Trail after winning the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Group 1).<br><br />
The Curragh Racecourse.<br><br />
Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post<br><br />
12.09.2021
Photo: Patrick McCann/Racing Post
(L-R): William Buick, Johnny Kay, and Charlie Appleby with Native Trail after winning the National Stakes at the Curragh

"We put a cross-noseband on him too. William said that he was just so green, it was like going to post on an unraced maiden. Two furlongs out, I'm not sure I thought he would win, but I knew he would gallop out strong."

Paddy Power cut the colt to 7-4 favorite (from 6) for next month's Darley Dewhurst Stakes (G1), and Appleby said: "I reckon he'll go straight there; it's a tried and trusted route. I don't know if he's quite got the head for a Breeders' Cup at the moment.

"As for the ground, it wasn't testing out there, but he's a heavy-topped horse and a bit of juice in the ground wouldn't hurt. I think he's versatile enough to adapt to both."

For Aidan O'Brien and the no longer unbeaten Point Lonsdale, it was a setback on a mixed weekend at best for the stable, but the champion trainer was not totally downhearted.

He said: "I thought he ran well; he did everything right. We've always thought that he will be lot happier going a mile and he will be a middle-distance horse for next year.

"He ran a brave race; the winner had a bit more pace than us on the day. He was beaten by a good horse. We've no definite plans but it's a possibility that he won't run again this season."


Video