The Japan Times - Impressive Scandinavia delivers O'Brien Goodwood Cup 1-2

Scandinavia, only the second three-year-old to win the race in the past 35 years with the legendary Stradivarius the last to do so in 2017, provided O'Brien with his fifth win in the two mile contest.

His victory was dampened, not only by the unseasonably grey skies, but also by a terrible injury to the much-loved 2021 winner Trueshan which resulted in the nine-year-old being put down.

For Trueshan's long-time rider Hollie Doyle, who had won the previous race, it was devastating, having experienced some great moments in the 21 times she had ridden the old trooper.

Scandinavia had been interfered with as Trueshan retreated through the field but jockey Wayne Lordan refocussed him and managed to get past Ryan Moore on the favourite Illinois inside the final furlong.

For Illinois and Moore it was more big race frustration as they had filled the runners-up spot behind Trawlerman in last month's Ascot Gold Cup.

"He has improved all year," said Lordan, who landed the Epsom Derby for O'Brien in June on Lambourn.

"There is plenty of improvement to come.

"Illinois is very genuine and a Group One winner.

"Today was about finding out how smart my ride was and he has proved he is a very smart stayer.

"He would be an Ascot Gold Cup horse for next year."

- 'Moody' Audience -

Earlier Zavateri backed up his July Stakes win earlier this month with victory in the Group Two Vintage Stakes and set his eyes firmly on next year's English 2000 Guineas, a double that has been achieved on four occasions.

The Eve Johnson Houghton-trained winner showed real guts too, battling back under Charlie Bishop after being headed by Morris Dancer inside the final furlong.

"He is a dream ride," said Bishop.

"He is tough as teak. He beat horses round him then William Buick came and passed me but his attitude is hang tough and he got back in front.

"We can definitely dream of the 2000 Guineas."

Whilst Zavateri franked the form as probably being England's top two-year-old, Do or Do Not is certainly the most consistent having finished third, after filling the runner-up spot in the Coventry at Royal Ascot and then the July Stakes.

The other Group Two of the day, the Lennox Stakes, was robbed of a lot of its interest when favourite Kinross's bid to become the first horse to win the race three times ended before even the start.

Kinross had to be withdrawn after the temperamental Audience, last year's winner, lashed out and drew blood below the knee.

"I am gutted, I tried to avoid Audience as I know how moody he is," said Rossa Ryan.

With him out of the running he was followed swiftly by another of the leading fancies, Royal Ascot winner Noble Champion, who was pulled up early in the race and as a result interfered with several of the contenders.

The honours went instead to Doyle on outsider Witness Stand, sparking scenes of rapturous delight from joint trainers Jamie Insole and Richard Newlands, the latter a Grand National winning handler.

"You spend your whole life trying to get group winners so this is a dream come true," said Insole, who focuses more on the flat whilst Newlands deals with the jumps.

T.Ueda--JT