Racing Post...
New Approach ends season on Champion high
Lee Mottershead
2,000 Guineas odds
REPORT: CHAMPION STAKES, Saturday
WE will not see him race again, but there can now be no doubt of his brilliance.
At Epsom he had been impressive and at Leopardstown workmanlike, but at Newmarket on Saturday New Approach was simply magnificent. An afternoon billed as Champions' Day turned into the day of one true champion.
Those who backed the Derby winner into 6-5 favouritism went into the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes with few worries. As the Irish star powered into the final furlong and retirement with an ever-increasing lead, they had considerably fewer.
It was nothing less than an annihilation. After taking over from his pacemaker Upton Grey three furlongs out, New Approach powered further and further clear, eventually passing the post a dazzling six lengths in front of nearest pursuer Twice Overwith Linngari back in third. As if more proof was needed of the brilliance of the display, Newmarket's 1m2f course record is now his.
For trainer Jim Bolger and rider Kevin Manning, New Approach's success put the seal on a sensational season and a wonderful afternoon. Just 35 minutes earlier they had teamed up to win the Darley Dewhurst Stakes with Intense Focus. Big-race doubles do not come much bigger.
Confirming New Approach's retirement, Bolger said: "It was his last run and he has done everything right and it is all over now. He is the finest horse beyond a mile that I have trained."
He added: "He was in super form coming up to this week and I couldn't have been happier with him. He had it all worked out himself and gave me the two fingerstoday. He even stood in the unsaddling enclosure when we put the saddle on and didn't move.
"He was as near as to perfect as you could get going to the start and he was bombproof during the race."
Manning said: "He was very impressive today, and of all his wins, today was his best.
"The pace horse went agood seven-furlong pace and everything went according to plan. I get the easy job - full credit to Jim and the boys."
New Approach's triumph also continued a great day for Sheikh Mohammed, whose wife Princess Haya ownsthe son of Galileo, as the Dubai ruler had earlier enjoyed his biggest ever Australian win when Godolphin's All The Good sprang a 40-1 shock in the Caulfield Cup.
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