Fanshawe rues Rock error
In the circumstances James Fanshawe was delighted with Society Rock's run at Royal Ascot on Saturday but was left ruing his colt's slow start.
Last Updated: 24/06/12 1:00pm
James Fanshawe intends to put Society Rock through some intensive stalls work after his frustrating display in Saturday's Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The six-year-old was defending his crown in the six-furlong Group One, but blew his chance of victory with a very slow start.
He still had a lot of ground to make up on the likes of Black Caviar and Moonlight Cloud with a couple of furlongs to run, but flew home in the hands of Johnny Murtagh to finish fifth, beaten just two lengths.
"It's obviously disappointing he missed the break, as he ran such a good race afterwards," said Fanshawe.
"He can be a bit slowly away and sometimes that helps him, but he sat down in the stalls and lost a lot of ground.
Port Of Call
"He's run a very good race in the circumstances, but we need to try and get the stalls part right now.
"If we can get that sorted, then he's right up there with the best of them."
The Darley July Cup at Newmarket is Society Rock's most obvious next port of call, but Fanshawe is keen to sort out his stalls issues before committing his charge to run on July 14.
"He ran very well in the Duke of York Stakes on his first run of the year and again on Saturday, so he's obviously in really good form at the moment," said the Newmarket handler.
"I want to be really happy with the stalls situation before I run him again, but we'd obviously love to have a go at the July Cup."