Advertise runs out game winner of Phoenix Stakes as Sergei Prokofiev flops

ADVERTISE cemented his position as one of the top two-year-old sprinters with victory in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

The son of Showcasing made it three wins from four career starts in the Group 1 contest.

Beforehand it had been billed as a match between July Stakes winner Advertise and Coventry Stakes third Sergei Prokofiev.

But in a very tactical affair, it was another Aidan O'Brien challenger, So Perfect, that gave Martyn Meade's speedster most to think about.

The pair pulled a length clear of The Irish Rover with a furlong and a half to go, leaving the strongly fancied Sergei Prokofiev struggling at the rear, and it was Advertise who was marginally the stronger in a thrilling climax.

Afterwards his trainer was delighted to have fielded the first British-trained winner of the race for over twenty years, and said: "I've been quite bullish about this horse and luckily it's paid off, otherwise I might have had to eat my words a bit.

"I'm very pleased with him, it's great, and maybe we'll step him up to seven furlongs now.

"We'll give him a bit of a break and then go for the Dewhurst or something like that I suppose. It seems logical and he'll get further."

He added: "The big question is if he'll get a mile, but he'll definitely get seven.

"It was a great result. Obviously I was coming here with a lot of trepidation, but you can tell very good horses at home, going to perform for you, got the form and did the job.

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"If you've got a good horse it makes a difference, you don't have to struggle too much then.

"It was a great ride by Frankie and it's great to have him on board. As he said to me after he won the July Stakes, 'send him anywhere you like' and that proved to be right.

"I'm thrilled to bits with him. Every run he's been held up and produced with a turn of foot, but he was able to dictate today and it shows that he knows his job now."