3 minute read
John and Thady Gosden's five-year-old back with a bang over seven furlongs.
The talented Audience returned to winning ways when running out an authoritative winner of the Group 2 Lennox Stakes on the Sussex Downs.
Tim Easterby's Art Power took the field along on his step back up to seven furlongs, but Havlin was always keen to keep the leader in his sights and had Audience right on the feels for much of the Group 2 contest.
Plenty would have been expecting the closers to emerge with their challenge as the leading pair approached the two-furlong marker, but it quickly became apparent that those from off the pace were in trouble and with a smart turn of foot, Audience shot into a clear advantage under Havlin.
The gap continued to grow and although the runaway Lockinge winner wandered off a true line in the closing stages, he was always in firm control.
The front-running Art Power stuck on well to fill the silver medal position, with the 7-2 favourite Kinross, who was bidding for his third victory in the race having landed the contest in 2021 and 2023, staying on nicely from the rear to claim third.
"After he won the Lockinge, I told everyone it was no fluke and they laughed," said Havlin.
"He's always had a lot of ability. We used to ride him with the hood on at home and I sat on him on Saturday, with the hood on again, and he absolutely flew so we thought this was the right time to try him without it.
"He wasn't very competitive in the Lennox round here last year with the hood on, but he's really sharpened up. He's so controllable now, as well. I didn't think we were going overly quick up the hill, but I let him go at the three and by god he was fast.
"You've got to make a plan as you go along with this lad - it's all about what is happening on the occasion. "
Paddy Power cut the winner to 7/2 (from 12s) for the City of York Stakes on the Knavesmire next month and Cheveley Park's managing director Chris Richardson confirmed he will likely stick to seven furlongs now.
He said: "Plainly he didn't quite stay the stiff mile at Ascot,"
"We've stuck with Rab (Havlin) the whole way through, and the horse continues to thrive, and they have a great relationship.
"I was thrilled that Pat Thompson was there at Newbury when he won and I'm sorry that they are not here today, but defying a penalty has certainly given everyone plenty to think about.
"We'll probably go to York for the City Of York Stakes, where he doesn't carry a penalty, then it's all to play for. We'll look at all those races over his favoured seven furlongs."
John Gosden added: "He's matured and the mile's too stiff at Ascot. He'll go to the City Of York, he was second in it last year to Kinross. He'll go there, no penalty. That's the plan.
"We've put him in the Prix de la Foret, last year's ground would be perfect as it was good to firm. He wouldn't want traditional Parisian turf.
"He has the speed for a race like the Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar. He could be a horse for it. Travelling would be no problem.
"Rab knows him really well. He rides him most mornings and every time he nearly takes him home!"