Coroebus exploded out of the pack to take Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket ahead of more fancied stablemate Native Trail, landing jockey James Doyle and trainer Charlie Appleby their first wins in the race.
It was a Godolphin 1-2, but not the way punters planned it, with 5/1 shot Coroebus outpointing 5/4 favourite Native Trail at the line by just under one length at the line.
Before the race, Appleby and Godolphin pilot William Buick had the agonising task of picking between which of the hotshots in blue to ride, but his decision to choose for Native Trail meant James Doyle was left to get the leg-up on Coroebus and it was he who got first run out of the pack at the furlong marker, breaking clear to leave Native Trail and Buick in his wake.
Luxembourg stayed on from a most unpromising position to take third for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien, ahead of Eydon in fourth.
At the off, Royal Patronage took them along early with the well-backed Point Lonsdale under Frankie Dettori - who saw a tidal wave of late money to go off at 11/2 fourth favourite - also in hot pursuit. In rear, the other well-backed O’Brien runner Luxembourg and Ryan Moore couldn’t go the early gallop and were pushed along in almost last by halfway.
By the furlong marker Coreobus had found his stride and stole a crucial two lengths from Native Trail who did his best to reel him in, but could only close the gap to 3/4 of a length at the line. Luxembourg stayed on bravely for third ahead of the chasing pack.
Trainer Charlie Appleby, who trained both the first and second, said he always knew there was not as much difference between his two charges as the market had decided and - since Coroebus was beaten in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last year - the son of Dubawi has done nothing but improve. Appleby said:
“Coroebus has always excited us a two year-old. I was walking away thinking he had won well that day (in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket) but he got chinned at the line. But he has learned from that and grown. I wanted to get him on a decent surface and he gained a lot of confidence (when winning) the Autumn Stakes and he has an electric turn of foot as we saw today.”
Appleby had every sympathy for luckless jockey William Buick who had to choose between his two stable stars, unfortunately picking the wrong one with his mount Native Trail finishing second.
“Native Trail was a flawless two year-old champion who came out and won the Craven Stakes (under William Buick). That same morning William (Buick) also rode Coreobus in a piece of work and he said that if he hadn’t had Native Trail already in this race he would have ridden Coroebus. Naturally, from there James Doyle was always going to ride Coroebus.”
