International chit chat

[my miss storm cat]

RP...

Godolphin thwarted by Quijano in Milan Group 1
By Robert Carter1.15PM 15 JUN 2009
Report: Italy, Sunday

San Siro: Gran Premio di Milano (Group 1) 1m4f, 3yo+

GODOLPHIN'S search for a top-level winner this year came up short once more in Italy on Sunday, although Age Of Reason ran a brave race to finish second to Germany's Quijano in the Gran Premio di Milano.

Quijano, sent off 7-4 second favourite behind Voila Ici, was completing back-to-back successes at San Siro on Sunday, had to be driven out to beat Age of Reason by onelength.

The Godolphin colt, who was running for the first time since winning the Qatar International Cup in February, had put his nose in front two furlongs from home.

Vol De Nuit had set only a steady pace and wasfar from done with, and Martin Dwyer was never able to establish a clear advantage on Age Of Reason.

Quijano, who had raced in third most of the way, gradually wore him down.

Andrasch Starke drove out the German seven-year-old to inch clear while Age Of Reason saved second by a head from Voila Ici, who rallied strongly after being outpaced more than two furlongs from home.

Starke said: "Quijano was always going well. He can be lazy in frontbut he kept on strongly, I think he's as good as ever."

Diana Cooper, representing Godolphin, was delighted with the effort of the second. "He seems to run best when fresh," she said. "Martin Dwyer gave him a lovely ride and we were beaten by a better horse on the day - a genuine Group 1 horse.

"But Age Of Reason appreciated the fast ground, will hopefully be able to win a Group 1 this summer."

Vittorio Caruso and Mirco Demuro, trainer and rider of Voila Ici who was narrowly favoured over the winner, both blamed the slow pace. Caruso added: "He could have been second if he'd got going earlier."