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Muhaarar romps in inaugural Commonwealth Cup

Muhaarar easily proved best in the Commonwealth Cup (Photo courtesy of Ascot Racecourse via Twitter) The first running of the Friday's Commonwealth Cup (Eng-G1) at Royal Ascot proved a solo tour-de-force for 10-1 shot Muhaarar (Oasis Dream), who turned what had looked a competitive race into a rout. With jockey Dane O'Neill, the Charlie Hills-trained colt came home 3 3/4 lengths clear of Limato (Tagula), with Anthem Alexander (Starspangledbanner) third. The about six-furlong contest for three-year-olds provided O'Neill with his biggest-ever payday on Sheikh Hamdan's homebred. "He did it so easy," the rider said. "Rarely does a race work out so easily, especially here. He traveled so well and picked up exceptionally. I was getting a nice lead and when I asked him to pick up I was surprised by the reaction I got. His work at home had been good and he was beginning to feel like a sprinter, but they've got to prove it on the track, which he has done, and how. He has a great attitude and he's grown up a lot." Muhaarar opened his 2015 season with a victory in the April 18 Greenham (Eng-G3) at Newbury before stretching out to record a disappointing eighth in the about one-mile French Two Thousand Guineas (Fr-G1) at Longchamp on May 10. He rebounded stylishly while cutting back in trip and  provided O'Neill with his second Group 1 victory, the first coming aboard Bold Edge in the 2000 Prix Maurice De Gheest.

O'Neill has been riding for three seasons as number two for Sheikh Hamdan, and wore the second colors Friday. The owner's first string was seventh-placed Adaay (Kodiac), ridden by Paul Hanagan.

"It was tough for Paul, but good for the team," O'Neill said. "It's a great team to work with, with input and communication and hard work from everyone."

Muhaarar improved his career mark to 8-4-0-3.

"We knew he had a lot of pace, we knew they'd go hard today and that six furlongs on this track would be ideal," Hills said of his charge. "It was all going to suit him and once he hit the front we knew he'd stay. He was so convincing, and he's still improving. He's also a beautiful looking horse with a wonderful temperament. He's very exciting and there's a lot to look forward to."

Trainer Henry Candy was happy with Limato after the gelding finished second.

"I thought he ran a wonderful race," Candy said. "James (Doyle) said he was slow into his stride which is unlike him but after that he was as good as ever. I don't think we'd have beaten the winner whatever but they were quite far apart across the track. His engine is still the same, which is what matters."

Eddie Lynam, trainer of third-placed filly Anthem Alexander, also praised Muhaarar's performance:

"I think on his day the winner is pretty special, he looked very good," Lynam said. "Our filly has run very well and we'll keep having a go with her."

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