Charlie Appleby's Words Of Truth headlines a wet Mill Reef card at Newbury…
- Words Of Truth denies Into The Sky in Mill Reef
- First Instinct surprises Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes
Words Of Truth added a third straight victory to his record for trainer Charlie Appleby when winning the 6f Group 2 Mill Reef Stakes.
Run in honour of the late Geoff Lewis, who rode Mill Reef to glory in the Derby and the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the Mill Reef was set to be a showdown between some of the best sprinting juveniles in the division – including impressive Newbury debut winner Into The Sky, trained by Jim Boyle.
Appleny's charge had shown an upward trajectory since being gelded after debut in May, winning two competitive events at Ascot and Newmarket's July Course. The Mill Reef represented a step up in grade for the gelding, who was proven over six furlongs.
With heavy rain falling at Newbury, jockey William Buick was content to sit behind the pace in the early stage and went to challenge leader Into The Sky at the two-furlong marker. Switching to the right for a clear run, Words Of Truth reduced the deficit between himself and Into The Sky, running out a comfortable one length winner by the line. Flying Comet finished a further four-and-a-quarter lengths behind the pair in third.
In an interview with Sky Sports Racing, Buick said: "He's gone from strength to strength and that was a top performance there in that ground so I'm delighted with him.
"Some of his homework has been good and he's just getting better and better. He's a real pro now and I was very happy with what he did there.
"The horse who finished second won well on debut and I think is an exciting horse as well, so I think it was an up to scratch renewal.
"He's taken all his previous experience into today and ticks a lot of boxes. He should get seven furlongs as well you would imagine."
First Instinct caused a surprise in the 5f Group 3 Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes, continuing a strong run of form for the William Haggas stable.
With a 25% winning strike rate in the last fourteen days for the yard, First Instinct was not anticipated to add another victory to the tally, given she had finished four-and-a-quarter lengths fourth behind the re-opposing Shagraan in the Listed Beverley Bullet Stakes at the end of August.
Ridden by Tom Marquand, the three-year-old led the near-side group and whilst asked for more effort with two furlongs to run, she ran on well to secure a neck success over Shagraan, who had set a strong early pace in front. Last year's Sprint Cup winner Montassib caught the eye on his return to the track, making up late ground to finish third.
