Cylinder topples Imperatriz to claim Newmarket Handicap
For the third time in the last five years, Godolphin has taken out the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap with their three-year-old colt Cylinder (+900) joining Bivouac and In Secret by claiming the time-honoured contest.
After not being able to ride In Secret in the race last year, Jamie Kah has returned 12 months later to claim the race that she rightfully would have won if she didn’t suffer her terrible fall in the Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Cylinder, a son of Exceed And Excel, settled midfield from his outside barrier and followed the group of runners that ran up the outside fence before exploding with a blistering turn of foot to challenge the leaders at the 300m mark.
In the leading division on the inside was Imperatriz (+170) and Magic Time (+450), but they couldn’t go with the colt in the final 100m, as he pulled clear from the rest of the field late.
Although Imperatriz didn’t win, she was very good with the big weight to finish second, ahead of The Astrologist (+10000) in third place.
2024 Newmarket Handicap Replay – Cylinder
Representing the stable once again, Nacim Delmi spoke about his first Group 1 victory since taking over as the Victorian foreman.
“It is massive. Obviously there is a big team behind us and we’ve always believed in the horse,” Delmi said.
“He came to the races today and we knew he was bang on and ready to go. He delivered.
“We added a tongue tie on the horse as he had a bad habit at the stables but early on as a two-year-old he had an accident in the barriers and broke his jaw.
“He’s always been a little bit tricky with his mouth and we wanted to try that on. Jamie came and galloped him on Tuesday and when she came back she was like, ‘he was awesome’.
“We were very confident today.”
Jamie Kah was understandably emotional after the win and she spoke post-race.
“I thought I was a tough person but I’m not today. Even (winning) the last race was massive for me, to get through that and have it behind me,” Kah said.
“This is for Dean Holland. I couldn’t imagine anyone riding that horse as well as he did last year and I felt so happy that I gave him the opportunity to win the Newmarket.
“Hopefully he is watching down on us today. I can’t believe that happened.
“Obviously it was a horrible day for me last year but I’m so happy that Dean got to win on that horse.
“He was an amazing person.
“Today has been amazing and for Godolphin, they have always supported me.
“Last year I didn’t get the opportunity to win the Newmarket for them but Dean Holland did which is great.
“It is great to get over last year and start again and I don’t think any day will top today.”
Cylinder is a +1200 chance in futures markets for the TJ Smith Stakes with online horse racing betting sites.