Super Canford lands Lockinge
24 May 2011 - 09:25:08
Richard Hannon welcomed potential clashes with Goldikova and Frankel later this season after Canford Cliffs made a successful reappearance in the JLT Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.
It was not a performance to frighten connections of the continent's finest other milers, but Hannon and jockey Richard Hughes expect their colt to be in better shape in time for his next challenge, probably against Goldikova, in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Hannon was as emotional as when winning a favourite race of his on his local track a year ago with Paco Boy, a horse he ranks as inferior to Canford Cliffs.
The 4-5 favourite was not quite as scintillating as he has been in the past, although he eventually overwhelmed the enterprisingly-ridden Worthadd to win by a length and a quarter.
The Italian raider led for most of the race when all seven jockeys appeared reluctant to show their hand, and it was only inside the final furlong that the 25-1 shot was forced to give best.
Hannon said: "He hadn't run for a long time and he'll come on from that. He's done everything very well, but you look at him and think, 'Oh, he's a little bit burly'.
"Ascot will be the next port of call now. We don't mind taking on Goldikova, she's getting old, and Frankel too - bring them on. You can run but you can't hide and he's going to be there to take on all-comers. Frankel won't be able to do what he did to the 2000 Guineas field to him.
"He has won four Group Ones now so he'll be a real stallion - I'd love to have him next season as a five-year-old, but we'll see. He's the best horse I've ever had."
Hughes added: "I'm privileged to ride him every morning. He's awesome. It's good he's settling so well, but I'd like to see a little more fire.
"I'm relieved after all the hype. I wasn't quite certain we had him 100% fit. He was a little bit rusty and he can only get better. I'm relishing the season. Goldikova, I'm looking forward to Ascot, and as for Frankel we'll meet him somewhere down the line."
