Gold Globe and Proxima Dea give Payne two chances

David Payne believes Gold Globe (Farnan) and Proxima Dea (Tarzino) are capable of causing an upset when they line up in Saturday's Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m) at Randwick, despite both being overlooked in betting. Gold Globe resumes after four starts and two recent barrier trials, while Proxima Dea will make her debut over 1400m. "I'd probably have Gold Globe just in front of the filly because he has had the race experience," Payne said. "His form is actually quite good and he should have run second to Southend at Newcastle last start. Southend then came out and won a stakes race." Payne also holds Proxima Dea in high regard and believes the filly is bred to excel over longer distances. "Proxima Dea is a full sister to 2022 Queensland Oaks winner Gypsy Goddess. " Payne said. "She's a nice, long-striding filly so going to 1400m at Randwick on debut should suit her. "I think she has good ability and I expect her to go close. She's one to watch." The veteran trainer also provided an upbeat update on talented juvenile Bangkok Hottie (Too Darn Hot), who has returned to work following a successful two-year-old campaign. "She looks very well," Payne said. "The filly has made the natural improvement you would expect during her break and it will be exciting to see what she can do in the spring." Bangkok Hottie won two of her three starts as a juvenile, including victories at Warwick Farm and Randwick, and Payne said the Princess Series is the filly's early spring target. "She looks to have a lot of ability," he said. "I'll have her ready to trial later this month and the plan is to set her for the Princess Series starting with the Silver Shadow Stakes. "I hope to get her to the Flight Stakes in the spring as she is bred to run a 1600m. We are teaching her to settle by following other horses in her trackwork and once she learns to switch off early, I'm sure she will run a strong 1600m."

Zoufame can cap another big season for Zoustar

Bjorn Baker-trained sprinter Zoufame (Zoustar) could help his sire edge closer to the Australian winners' premiership when he lines up in Saturday's Cactus Imaging Handicap (1100m) at Randwick. While Zoustar (Northern Meteor) will finish runner-up to Snitzel on the general sires' table, the Widden Stud stallion remains locked in a three-way battle to finish the season as Australia's leading sire by winners. Zoustar heads into the final weeks of the season with 161 winners, trailing Capitalist (165) and Toronado (163). "Zoustar's had another great season," Widden Stud's Antony Thompson said. "He's second in terms of prizemoney and also individual stakes winners to Snitzel, and he's right in the mix for leading sire of winners. With nearly $21 million prizemoney overall, he's had another cracking season. It would have been fantastic to seal a great year for Zoustar with a win by Joliestar at Royal Ascot but she went very close, unfortunately it wasn't meant to be." Joliestar has been the stallion's standout performer this season, winning the Canterbury Stakes (Gr 1, 1300m) and TJ Smith Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) before finishing a close third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) at Royal Ascot. Zoufame resumed with an impressive Warwick Farm victory over 1100m last month after placings at his first two starts and is favourite to make it back-to-back wins on Saturday. Zoustar will also be represented at Randwick by Thunderlips and Astero in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m), while Zouripper contests the Kieran Moore Handicap (1000m). Thunderlips drops back in grade after contesting last week's Winter Stakes (Listed, 1400m), Astero continues his preparation after two runs from a spell, and Zouripper heads to Randwick after a close second to Ready To Shine (Better Than Ready) at Rosehill on June 27.

So Rebellious and Rebel Shield ready for Randwick

Trainer Gary Portelli will saddle a pair of bargain-priced progeny of dual Group 1-winning sprinter Rebel Dane (California Dane) at Randwick on Saturday, with So Rebellious contesting the Midway Handicap (1600m) and Rebel Shield lining up in the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1400m). Portelli paid just $30,000 for So Rebellious and $40,000 for Rebel Shield as yearlings. The Warwick Farm trainer also prepared Rebel Dane to Group 1 victories in the Manikato Stakes and Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, while the stallion's standout performer to date is Portelli-trained Golden Slipper winner Fireburn. So Rebellious, a Canterbury maiden winner, resumes off an eighth behind Tarzing (Tarzino) at Rosehill, a performance Portelli believes was better than it appeared. "This horse has come on leaps and bounds since his last campaign," Portelli said. "I thought it was a really nice run first-up and I expect him to run a hell of a race on Saturday." Rebel Shield finished fourth on debut behind Omolong (Extreme Choice) at Warwick Farm, with that form strengthened after the winner scored in Saturday grade at Rosehill. "I like him a lot," Portelli said. "He has a good finish on him and going to 1400m is absolutely perfect for him." Portelli will also be represented by Kintyre (Hallowed Crown), a half-brother to Fireburn, in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m). The colt has been unplaced in three runs this preparation but has trialled well since his latest Randwick outing, with Portelli expecting an improved showing.

Adelaide raider Sir Now tackles Monash Stakes

Adelaide sprinter Sir Now (Sir Prancealot) will make his Caulfield debut in Saturday's Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) as trainer Darryl Hewitt searches for suitable opportunities outside South Australia. Stablemate Snoopy Now (Sir Prancealot) will also travel across the border to contest the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (1700m). Sir Now has won nine of his 24 starts and earned more than $400,000, but Hewitt said his high rating has left him carrying up to 65kg in Adelaide. "He can't race here because there's no races for him," Hewitt said. "He's running around 65 kilos on his back, but he's been pretty honest all the way through. Ideally you would stay in your own backyard as he's been pretty competitive, but he deserves a chance over there. The track is going to be a soft five or six come Saturday, but he can handle heavy going, if it goes that way, and he comes down four-and-a-half or five kilos on his last run." Sir Now has attracted early support in betting, firming from $15 to $6.50, and Hewitt believes the gelding can improve on his previous Melbourne appearance when fifth to Rey Magnerio (Magnus) over 1000m at Flemington on VRC Oaks Day. "They came home pretty quick that day and we went over thinking it was going to be a wet track and it ended up being a Good 3, and he finished not far behind Rey Magnerio," Hewitt said. "He won't disgrace himself over there on Saturday." Connor Murtagh replaces apprentice Alysha Warren aboard Sir Now. Hewitt also sends last-start benchmark 78 winner Snoopy Now south, although he is wary of the challenge posed by Melbourne opposition. "It's like the SANFL over here, against the AFL over there, and we're getting rated the same," he said. "He's taking an 85 rating over there against other 85 rated horses that are racing against better quality week in, week out." Apprentice Jackson Radley takes the ride on Snoopy Now.

Angels Fury returns to Caulfield on redemption mission

Angels Fury (Harry Angel) will return to Caulfield on Saturday looking to build on her dominant maiden victory at Bendigo after an underwhelming debut earlier this year. The Ciaron Maher-trained filly lines up in the Sportsbet Race Reviews Handicap (1100m) after bouncing back from a last-place finish as the $1.70 favourite in the Blue Diamond Preview in January. She resumed with an emphatic maiden success at Bendigo last month and assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said the stable had never lost faith in her ability. "She's always been impressive since day one," Turnbull said. "To run on debut and run the way she did was very deflating, but at the end of the day we knew we had a young horse that pulled up with a few issues and we were able to reset and come back. All through her training this prep, she has been A-one. It's been there to see in her jump-outs and that translated into her Bendigo run." Such was the stable's opinion of the filly that Maher Racing purchased her half-brother by Spirit Of Boom (Sequalo) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale before Angels Fury had even raced. "You want to back your judgement of what you see at home and to see it race day, even in a maiden, it's very satisfying," Turnbull said. "Hopefully we can continue because she has a lot of upside." Turnbull said Saturday's performance would shape the filly's spring plans. "If she was to win on Saturday, being a city class race, you would have to consider going up in class, a Stakes race, but we're one race at a time," he said. "She'll get there eventually, whether it's this spring or the autumn." Apprentice Jabez Johnstone takes the ride and claims 3kg, reducing Angels Fury's weight to 54.5kg.

Third Australian run looms for Boniface

Former French galloper Boniface (Make Believe) will make his third Australian start when he tackles Saturday's Precise Air Handicap (1800m) at Randwick, with trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr confident the lightly raced four-year-old has continued to improve. A three-time winner from five starts in France, Boniface joined the Cranbourne stable before being gelded after reaching the trials late last year. He resumed with a fifth over 1600m at Sandown before producing an encouraging second over 1800m at Randwick on June 20. Kent Jnr said the gelding had taken improvement from that performance despite an awkward barrier draw. "He was good first-up and he was excellent second-up, so he's doing a great job in his first Australian preparation," Kent Jnr said. "He's drawn sticky on Saturday, but off his work on Tuesday, he's showing that he's going very well. "It's a sticky draw because he's a bit exuberant. We would prefer to be covered up, but you could roll forward but you could undo all the good work by giving him the wrong message and light him up, or you could snag back to last and have too much to do." Boniface has drawn barrier 14 but is expected to come into gate 10 if the four emergencies do not gain a start. Kent Jnr also admitted the stable was unsure how the gelding would handle a genuinely heavy track. "We're also not sure about him on a real heavy track. He's trialled well in the heavy, but I like the horse and he's going great," he said. "If he takes natural improvement from his last start, he will be right in the finish." Tyler Schiller retains the ride aboard Boniface.

Earthstorm tops Magic Millions Digital Sale

Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) placed Earthstorm (Calyx) topped the Magic Millions Digital (3-9 July) Sale after selling for $155,000 to SM & KB Bloodstock. The sale was extended by 24 hours following the nationwide Telstra outage, with Earthstorm attracting 31 bids before being secured by the Western Australian buyers. "We've followed Earthstorm since her two-year-old season and have always believed in what she could do," stable representative Kyle Sutherland said. "She'll stay in the West and join Stefan's (Vahala Racing Stable) where she'll race for at least another twelve months before eventually joining our broodmare ranks." Purchased by trainer Russell Stewart for $60,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Earthstorm has earned $288,550 in prizemoney during her racing career. "The marketing was super. I know that everyone who needed to see her, saw her," Stewart said. "The Magic Millions Digital team did everything they could and she could not have been marketed any better." Well-related mare Midnight Star (Zoustar) was the next highest-priced lot at $45,000 to PJ Racing, while last-start Eagle Farm winner June (Trapeze Artist) sold for $30,000 to Home Creek Pastoral. Yarraman Park's unraced two-year-old filly Speedy Harriet (Harry Angel) also realised $30,000 when purchased by Jason Coyle Racing. Shares achieved a 100 per cent clearance rate, highlighted by a 7.5 per cent share in unraced two-year-old Lucky General (Super Seth), which sold for $13,000. The racehorses, race fillies and mares categories combined for a clearance rate of more than 76 per cent.

Rolston to lead Yulong's global racing operation

Yulong has appointed highly respected racing and bloodstock executive Danny Rolston as its new Head of Racing, with the New Zealander to oversee the management, strategy and development of the operation's global racing interests from August 1. Rolston joins Yulong after four years with the Hong Kong Jockey Club, where he served as Executive Manager of International Sale/Owner Advisory Services. In that role he oversaw the Hong Kong International Sale while also helping develop ownership pathways for new and prospective owners across Hong Kong and mainland China. Prior to his time with the HKJC, Rolston held roles with Godolphin in the United States and the UAE, and spent 18 years with New Zealand Bloodstock, where he most recently served as Director of Sales. "Yulong has made a tremendous impact on the global breeding, racing and bloodstock industry," Rolston said. "To join an already strong leadership team during such an exciting period of growth is both an honour and a privilege." Yulong General Manager Jun Zhang welcomed the appointment, saying Rolston's experience would strengthen the organisation's expanding global operation. "Danny's industry knowledge, strategic mindset and extensive network will be invaluable assets as we continue to grow," Zhang said. "Combined with his proven leadership credentials, he is a fantastic addition to our team. We look forward to the significant contribution he will make as we build on our success and continue striving for excellence on the track."

Honour Roll eyes Te Akau's fifth juvenile stakes winner

Te Akau Racing will bid to cap another outstanding juvenile season when Honour Roll (Savabeel) contests Friday's Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Otaki. The Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained gelding is chasing a second win from three starts after breaking his maiden at Matamata in May following a gelding operation. "He was quite colty but now that he is a gelding he is putting it together," Walker said. "He has had a jumpout at the home track because the trials didn't really fit in, and that kept ticking him over nicely." Honour Roll will jump from barrier 12 under Michael McNab, but Walker is confident the son of Savabeel (Zabeel) will handle the testing conditions. "Matamata was pretty wet that day and he skipped through it pretty well, so he should be fine. He certainly gets through the ground," he said. Walker indicated the Group 3 Northland Breeders' Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka next month is the likely next target, with the stable expected to bypass the Listed Ryder Stakes (1200m) two weeks after Otaki. Victory would give Te Akau a fifth individual juvenile stakes winner this season, adding to Group 1 winners Lara Antipova (Russian Revolution) and Seize The Day (I Am Invincible), along with Zafar (Snitzel) and Kinnaird (Home Affairs). Walker also provided updates on two of the stable's headline performers. Group 1-winning juveniles Lara Antipova and Belle Cheval will trial over 800m at Caulfield next week ahead of their Australian spring campaigns.

Cheval de Foudre chasing deserved breakthrough

Consistent gelding Cheval de Foudre (Time Test) will attempt to turn a string of placings into victory when he contests Saturday's Energy Ford (1600m) at Hawera. The Mark Oulaghan-trained seven-year-old has finished in the placings at all four starts this preparation, including three consecutive runner-up efforts, and his trainer is hopeful the drop back to a mile will suit."He has been pretty consistent," Oulaghan said. "He is dropping back in distance but hopefully if he can get the right run, he will be close again. It is not a bad draw and if the track is loose I think it will suit him a bit better.” Oulaghan will also saddle Semper Magico (Per Incanto) in Friday's Raukawa Cup (2100m) at Otaki, with the 11-time winner having his third run back before returning to the jumping ranks. "He might need the run, he has taken a week to get fit," Oulaghan said. "Once we get him well-conditioned, he will go to a hurdle, that is the aim with him." The trainer will also have a team at Woodville on Sunday, headed by maiden hurdlers Super Flash (Super Easy), Rocking Light (Rock 'n' Pop) and Sloane Square (Tarzino). He also expects Pinkerton (Niagara) to appreciate dropping back in distance in the Highweight (1600m), while Wind Talker (Staphanos) will contest the Amateur Riders' event. "Pinkerton is dropping back in distance and if the track is Heavy he should be a good show," Oulaghan said.

Dubawi Diva heads stable's juvenile hopes

Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray will saddle promising juveniles at Otaki and Ruakaka this weekend, with Castletown Stakes (Listed, 1200m) contender Dubawi Diva (King Of Comedy) carrying the stable's leading hopes. The filly made a winning debut at Matamata last month after placing in both of her trials and has continued to impress in her work. "She slipped at the start and picked herself up," Ritchie said. "She's normally got gate speed and there's no doubt barrier one, a claim with a quite clever ride from Jack Taplin who held her together round the corner probably won her race. That was nice and without doubt she has come on quite a lot since then and her gallop on Tuesday morning was probably the best piece of work she has given us." Ritchie said the expected Heavy track was the only query. "I've always felt she's got the type of action to get through it and she's also got a turn of foot, so there's a bit of a question mark on what will probably be a wet, holding track," he said. "If she goes a super race then we'll head for the Ryder Stakes, if not we'll head for the Northland Breeders' Stakes." The stable will also unveil Top Marks (St Mark's Basilica) in Saturday's 1200m juvenile event at Ruakaka, although Ritchie believes the colt will be better suited over further. "We think he's a very, very good horse but he will be extremely vulnerable in a race like this," he said. "He's out of a New Zealand Oaks winner and it's probably half the distance he's going to end up needing. "We want a good deck to do that on and we're going to get that on Saturday at Ruakaka. It's one of the last opportunities to run a two-year-old. "Whether we give him a break after this or what we do I'm not 100 per cent sure, but he's certainly a horse we're very excited about once he gets to a mile and further come springtime."

Fownes closes on fifth Hong Kong title

Caspar Fownes is within touching distance of a fifth Hong Kong trainers' championship after extending his lead to six wins with only two meetings remaining in the 2025/26 season. Fownes heads into Sunday's 11-race Sha Tin fixture with 69 winners, ahead of Danny Shum (63), while Mark Newnham (60) retains only an outside chance of claiming the title.

Fownes will rely on a strong hand led by last-start winners Papaya Brose (Zousain) and Silver Spurs (Charm Spirit). Papaya Brose steps up in grade for the Class 3 Joy And Fun Handicap (1200m), while Silver Spurs will again have to overcome a wide draw in the second division of the Class 4 Victory Marvel Handicap (1200m). Daily Trophy (Tarzino), Sky Vino (Vino Rosso) and Monarch County (Per Incanto) also head into their assignments in solid form.

The stable will also look to Brazilian Group 1 winner Sagacious Life (Put It Back) to continue his progress in the Class 1 Hong Kong Racehorse Owners Association Trophy (1600m). Third over the course and distance at his first start for Fownes on June 6, the gelding is chasing his first Hong Kong victory after twice winning over the Sha Tin mile earlier this season.

Shum's hopes of keeping the title race alive rest largely with Packing Fighter (Tamayuz), who was narrowly beaten at his latest start and contests the Class 4 Solar Hei Hei Handicap (1600m), while Massive Reward (Toronado) is expected to improve again in the Class 4 Medic Kingdom Handicap (1400m). Helene Feeling (Sioux Nation) will represent the stable in the feature Class 1 event.

Newnham will saddle seven runners on Sunday as he attempts a late charge, with last-start winner Lucky Sam Gor (Press Statment) among his leading chances in the Class 3 Sight Winner Handicap (1600m). In-form Oldtown (Territories) is another key runner in the Victory Marvel Handicap.

With only the Sha Tin meeting on Sunday and the season finale at Happy Valley next Wednesday remaining, Fownes is on course to add a fifth trainers' championship to the titles he claimed in 2006/07, 2008/09, 2013/14 and 2020/21.

Forza Toro landed football-themed feature at Happy Valley

Forza Toro (Aclaim) broke through for his first Hong Kong victory when leading throughout in the Class 4 EIGHT TO GLORY, Presented by Lenovo (1650m) at Happy Valley on Wednesday. Ridden by Joao Moreira, the Caspar Fownes-trained four-year-old represented Spain in the football-themed feature, where each of the eight runners raced in colours inspired by one of the nations remaining in the tournament's quarter-finals. Jumping cleanly from barrier one, Forza Toro dictated throughout before kicking clear in the straight to defeat the David Eustace-trained Podium (Medaglia D'oro), representing Norway, by three lengths, with David Hayes' Precision Hope (Vespa), carrying the colours of France, a further minor placegetter. The victory strengthened Fownes' bid for a fifth Hong Kong trainers' championship. "We've been spending a bit of time to try and get him to jump well," Fownes said. "Of course, the 'Magic Man' on top got him to jump nicely, control the pace, and it was a lovely, lovely win for us in the inaugural EIGHT TO GLORY Lenovo race. I'm very happy to win that; I'll keep that trophy by my bed!" The victory was the Irish import's first success since arriving in Hong Kong.

Aegina heads strong second day at Tattersalls July Sale

Aegina (Havana Grey) topped the second session of the Tattersalls July Sale when selling to Elwick Stud for 240,000gns as trade continued at a strong level with a 95 per cent clearance rate and 14 lots making 100,000gns or more. The three-year-old, consigned by The Castlebridge Consignment, won a maiden and placed in the Listed Legacy Stakes for Donnacha O'Brien. Purchased as a broodmare prospect, she is expected to return to training in pursuit of further black type. "We'll do what's best by her," Elwick Stud manager Gary Moore said. "Hopefully she can pick up some more black type. We bought her to be a broodmare really, the racing bit is an added bonus." Royal Ascot performer Capall Rasa (Footstepsinthesand) was the second-highest-priced lot of the day, selling to Raj Singh for 215,000gns. The progressive three-year-old, fifth in the Britannia Stakes, will join the stable of Ed Bethell. Juddmonte-consigned filly Guardian Of Realm (Kingman) realised 210,000gns when purchased by Colm Sharkey for an Irish client, while Listed-winning filly Yaupon De Replay (Yaupon) sold to Charlie Swan of BBA Ireland for 200,000gns and could head to the United States. Another Royal Ascot performer, Regal Ulixes (Ulysses), also made 200,000gns after being secured privately by Will Douglass following his third placing in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes. Across the second session, 175 of the 185 lots offered sold for an aggregate of 5,579,500gns. The average was 31,883gns and the median 16,000gns, while the clearance rate improved to 95 per cent from 91 per cent in 2025 despite turnover declining by 28 per cent year-on-year.

Six for Waldgeist

Floresta (4 f ex Cailini Alainn by Danehill Dancer) became the sixth stakes winner for Waldgeist (Galileo) when returning to form with victory in the Stanerra Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 6f) at Fairyhouse on Wednesday. Ridden by Ben Coen for Johnny Murtagh, the four-year-old came from off the pace to defeat last year's winner and Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) runner-up Goodie Two Shoes (Fastnet Rock) by a length and a half. Bred and raced by Newtown Anner Stud, Floresta was bouncing back from a disappointing last-place finish in the Vintage Tipple Stakes (Listed, 1m 6f) at Gowran Park on her previous start. She is the fourth winner from six runners out of the winning Danehill Dancer (Danehill) mare Cailini Alainn, whose family also includes Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Duke De Sessa (Lope de Vega). A winner of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m), Waldgeist stands at Gestüt Lünzen in Germany for a 2026 fee of €6,000 (approx. AU$10,700).

187 for Frankel

Point Of Law (3 c ex Portfolio by Deep Impact) became the 187th stakes winner for outstanding sire Frankel (Galileo) when taking the Bahrain Trophy Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 5f) at Newmarket on Thursday. Trained by John and Thady Gosden and ridden by James Doyle, the homebred colt travelled prominently before taking over two furlongs from home and staying on strongly to defeat Galiyan (Galiway) by half a length, with Del Maro (Camelot) another length and a quarter away in third. Bred by King Charles III, Point Of Law races in the colours of HM The King & HM The Queen and was recording the first stakes success of his three-start career after opening his account in the City of Troy Stakes at Newbury. He had previously finished fourth in the Queen's Vase (Gr 2, 1m 6f) at Royal Ascot. Point Of Law is the first foal out of the Deep Impact ( Sunday Silence) mare Portfolio, a Listed-placed daughter of Listed-winning Dubawi mare Diploma, Frankel stands at Juddmonte's Banstead Manor Stud for a fee of £350,000 (approx. AU$675,000) in 2026.

31 for Blue Point

Inner City Blues (2 c ex Dancin Inthestreet by Muhaarar) became the 31st stakes winner for former Darley shuttler Blue Point (Shamardal) when maintaining his unbeaten record when taking Newmarket's juvenile feature, July Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) at Newmarket on Thursday. Trained by Charlie Appleby and ridden by William Buick, the Godolphin colt produced a strong finishing burst to defeat Adaay Of Scarlett (Mehmas) by a length and a quarter, with Hickory Lad (James Garfield) a further 1½ lengths away in third after favourite Persian Spring (Persian Force) was withdrawn. A €180,000 foal, 375,000gns (approx. AU$740,000) Tattersalls October Book 1 yearling and €900,000 (approx. AU$1.6 million) Arqana Breeze-Up purchase, Inner City Blues is the second foal and second winner from the winning Muhaarar (Oasis Dream) mare Dancin Inthestreet. She is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Dr Zempf (Dark Angel), while the family also includes Group 3-winning juvenile Souvenir Delondres (Siyouni). Blue Point, whose Australian-bred stakes winners includePoint Barrow, Bosustow and Icarian Dream, has now sired 31 stakes winners worldwide.He stands at Darley’s Kildangan Stud in Co Kildare for a 2026 fee of £100,000 (approx. AU$193,000).

Rebel's Romance claims Princess of Wales's Stakes

Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) enhanced his remarkable international record with victory in Thursday's Princess of Wales's Stakes (Gr 2, 1m4f) at Newmarket, justifying 8/11 favouritism for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.

The eight-year-old secured his 22nd career victory under William Buick, adding another £93,571 to his career earnings, which now exceed £12 million. Racing prominently throughout, he was asked to quicken approaching the final furlong before holding off the late challenge of stablemate Arabian Crown (Dubawi) by half a length, completing a Godolphin quinella.

The victory was Appleby's third of the day following earlier successes with Inner City Blues (Night Of Thunder) in the July Stakes (Gr 2, 6f) at Newmarket and Quest For Stars (Sea The Stars) in the Champagne Stakes Trial at Doncaster.

Bred by Godolphin, Rebel's Romance is out of the winning Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Minidress and has now won 22 of his 32 starts, 17 at group level. His previous elite-level successes include two editions of the Breeders' Cup Turf (Gr 1, 1m 4f), the Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr 1, 2410m), the Champions & Chater Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) and three renewals of Germany's Preis von Europa (Gr 1, 2400m).

The son of Dubawi was making his first start in Britain since finishing third in last year's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 4f) at Ascot and was having only his second outing of the season following his victory in the Dubai City Of Gold (Gr 2, 2410m) in February.

Buick paid tribute to the globetrotting gelding, saying: "He's a very special horse, people deserve to see him."