Appleby enjoys the perfect afternoon at Newbury Charlie Appleby’s decision to fly from Newmarket to Newbury paid dividends as Catullus completed a treble for the team in the Dubai Duty Free Cup. The Moulton Paddocks handler has been firing on all cylinders heading into the autumn and after landing in Berkshire by helicopter, he was on hand to see each of his three runners on the card strike gold. Following the earlier odds-on victories of two-year-olds Sorrengail and Bin Jahwar, Catullus was the 2-1 joint-favourite to make it a hat-trick for Appleby and Buick in the Listed feature. He scooted three and a half lengths clear of his rivals with the minimum of fuss, after which Appleby said: “He was coming here in great form and was galloping his heart out at home the last two weeks and leading all the good horses. “If you wind the clock back to Goodwood, Billy (Loughnane) said once they got a bit detached from him, he wishes he had held on to him a bit longer and tried to win the race himself. “We came here thinking the drop back to seven furlongs would suit him and he’s duly obliged. “He’ll go to Dubai now for the Al Fahidi. We might even take a look at that sprint on Saudi Cup night and he’s always been earmarked as part of the Meydan team. He’s been out there before and he’s definitely one of the travellers for sure.” Sorrengail is set for some winter sun in Dubai after returning to winning ways in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes. The daughter of Wootton Bassett had been a taking winner on her second start at Ascot in July, but was stepping up in trip after losing out to the well-regarded Evenfall over six furlongs here last month. The 8-11 chance rewarded favourite-backers with a cosy half-length success and is now set for a spot of Appleby’s winter squad. “We felt she might appreciate stepping up to seven furlongs after her last start where the winner just quickened past her and we just galloped out,” said Appleby. “I was keen to try seven and the opposition was there for us to hopefully get the job done. “Going forwards I think we’ll take her to Dubai and there is a nice little programme for her, a Guineas trial and then a (UAE) Guineas. She likes a quick track and Will said it was quick ground. “I don’t think she’ll run again and we’ll back off her now. That’s enough and she’s not the biggest and most robust so she can have a break and go to Dubai for the winter.” In the opening Kennet Valley Syndicates Nick Robinson EBF Maiden Stakes, it was Roger Teal’s Oakford who advertised his claims for more challenging assignments with a commanding four-and-three-quarter length triumph. Green when fifth to Royal Ascot winner Orthodox on debut, he was just touched off at Goodwood on his second start and benefited for his time on the sidelines as he made it third time lucky in the hands of Lewis Edmunds, scoring handsomely at 4-1. Teal said: “I love this horse and I have held him in high regard all along. He was very coltish on his first start and you have seen what the winner has done since, so it wasn’t an ordinary maiden. “He had a little bit of a setback after Goodwood, but it’s probably done us a favour and everything happens for a reason. Because he has a rounded action I thought the ground might be a bit lively for him, but he pointed his toe out nicely there today. I was worrying about nothing. “He never saw another horse really and was racing on the outside on his own just in complete control. I looked across and saw Oisin (Murphy) pushing on the favourite (Al Widyan)and Lewis was sat there nicely and once he gave him the office off he went. “We’ll have a look at something better now and can start to get excited. If it’s not broken don’t fix it so we’ll probably stay at six furlongs, but he wasn’t stopping so as he strengthens we can see what the future brings.” Edmunds doubled up aboard Harry Charlton’s Bintknight (11-2) in the Dubai Duty Free Fillies’ Handicap, while Clive Cox won the Dubai Duty Free Nursery Handicap for the third time since 2016 when 3-1 favourite Silver Sovereign followed up a win at Haydock in the hands of Rossa Ryan.
