Map Of Stars plots path to Hong Kong
Map Of Stars looks booked for a trip to Hong Kong after his fine run to fill the runner-up spot behind Benvenuto Cellini in the Breeders’ Cup Turf last weekend.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s five-year-old has enjoyed a fine campaign for owners Wathnan Racing, winning the Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot and finishing a neck second to Wimbledon Hawkeye at Deauville before travelling to Keeneland.
After being settled at the rear of the field by James Doyle, Map Of Stars powered up the home straight to finish a close second to the Ballydoyle colt, much to the delight of his connections.
“Map Of Stars ran an absolutely tremendous race. I thought it was a brilliant, cool ride from James to get him across from the widest draw and go around on the rail,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.
“He picked up and quickened well, but Benvenuto Cellini quickened better than us. We were all delighted with his run and the plan is now that he’ll probably go to Hong Kong.”
Map Of Stars was one of two Breeders’ Cup runners for Wathnan, with Hamad Al Jehani’s Final Objective also performing with credit when finishing fourth behind George Boughey’s star filly Libertango in the Juvenile Turf Sprint.
Brown added: “Final Objective ran a very good race. He jinked coming out of the stalls which didn’t help him – he lost his position slightly – but we were very happy with the way he ran.”
On Tuesday, the team’s sights switched from America to Australia where Boughey’s Ebor runner-up Hopewell Rock was a leading fancy for the Melbourne Cup.
The four-year-old was ultimately unable to land a telling blow, but he was beaten less than seven lengths in ninth place and Brown feels there is still plenty to look forward to.
“It didn’t really happen for Hopewell Rock. There was probably a lack of pace and it just didn’t pan out for him,” he said.
“It was an amazing experience for everyone and I’m sure it will do the horse the world of good having travelled. We’ll get him home and we live to fight another day.”
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