"There are horses that win with a minimum of fuss, and others, like Sweet William, that have a style that is all their own, and John & Thady Gosden's stayer kept it interesting throughout in the Doncaster Cup on Friday, as he overcame a slow start and some early coaxing from Rab Havlin in his saddle to win the Group Two contest for the second year running."
"Sweet William was bumped leaving the stalls, took a few strides to find his balance and was then ridden by Havlin to make up the lost ground before tacking himself on at the back of the field. And there he stayed until leaving the turn for home, when Havlin stoked him up for one relentless run down the straight that carried him nearly four lengths clear at the line."
Sweet William is a stayer with an idiosyncratic racing style, often showing slow starts and mid-race flat spots that require early coaxing from his jockey. Rab Havlin consistently manages those quirks, making up lost ground before settling the gelding at the back of the field. Sweet William won the Doncaster Cup for a second consecutive year after a relentless late run that produced a near four-length winning margin. The gelding has raced 20 times and has finished outside the top three only once, when fourth in this year's Ascot Gold Cup. His each-way strike-rate stands at 85%. Owners Philippa and Nick Cooper have shown loyal support and are planning a return to Town Moor next autumn rather than chasing immediate Group One targets.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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