Dubai: Godolphin’s Maverick Wave continued his strong form for the season when notching a third victory, and his first at Group level, in a well-contested renewal of the Huxley Stakes at Chester on Thursday.
Ridden with confidence by William Buick, the son of Invincible Spirit dominated his rivals in the closing stages of the 2,000-metre contest to win by three-quarters of a length.
The 6/4 favourite and last year’s Royal Ascot victor Cannock Chase battled hard for in-form jockey Ryan Moore, but could not match the winner for pace in the closing stages of the contest.
Air Pilot, the mount of Richard Kingscote, was a neck behind in third, with Jamie Spencer and Gabrial, who won a handicap during the 2014 Dubai World Cup Carnival at Meydan, another length back in fourth.
“He’s great this horse, [trainer] John [Gosden] said to get out in front and he’ll keep finding,” Buick told Channel 4 Racing.
“He’s very tough and we’ve always thought a bit of him, he’s finally getting his act together.
“The ground suited him and the track suits him, too. This is his trip.”
However, Godolphin’s Future Empire was unable to demonstrate his big-race potential when finishing last of six in the feature Chester Vase (G3).
The contest, which is a well-regarded Epsom Derby (G1) trial, was won in great style by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Hans Holbein.
Named after the 16th century German renaissance artist, the three-year-old son of the late Montjeu made all the running under Moore to cross the line one and three-quarter lengths clear of Storm The Stars, ridden by Freddy Norton for Derby-winning handler William Haggas. Medrano, with Graham Lee in the saddle, was half a length further back in third.
Hans Holbein, who was providing O’Brien with a record sixth win in the race, triggered a shake-up in the betting markets for the June 6 Derby, with Ladbrookes and Coral slashing his odds to 16/1 (from 66). Boylesports were more impressed and even went as low as 10/1, while Paddy Power put up a brave front and went 20/1.
“I spoke to Joseph [O’Brien], who said he was very fit and well, and he was as I could barely pull him up,” said Moore, who was winning his second Classic trial in as many days following Wednesday’s victory aboard Diamondsandrubies in the Listed Cheshire Oaks.
“He’s quite laid back but he finds a little bit when you ask him.
“The form doesn’t amount to a great deal at the moment, but he can only improve and he’ll be better over further as well. He went round here well enough so I don’t see why he wouldn’t act at Epsom.”
