Sangarius (Sir Michael Stoute/Ryan Moore) edged out Bangkok and Dubai Warrior in a terrific finish to the feature 10-furlong Listed Betway Quebec Stakes at Lingfield Park this afternoon, Saturday, December 19.
Sangarius was rediscovering the level of form that saw him capture the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2019. The four-year-old had made just one appearance since that success, finishing fourth in the G3 Betway Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Haydock Park in June, after which he had wind surgery.
The 4/6 favourite Dubai Warrior (John Gosden), defending a 100 per cent record over the course and distance, attempted to make all of the running under Robert Havlin while Sangarius was well positioned behind him on the rail.
Dubai Warrior quickened the tempo with three furlongs remaining and soon had his seven rivals under pressure. Sangarius was ridden to challenge the leader, eventually drawing upsides at the furlong pole, with Bangkok (Andrew Balding) closing all the time under a well-timed challenge from David Probert.
Sangarius mastered Dubai Warrior well inside the final half furlong and had just enough in the tank to repel the late thrust of Bangkok by a nose. Dubai Warrior lost nothing in defeat under a 3lb penalty, finishing a head further back in third.
There was a lengthy stewards’ enquiry after Sangarius jinked to his right in the closing stages, but the placings remained unaltered.
