More Than Looks halts Appleby run with Mile success

More Than Looks flew home to deny Charlie Appleby a fifth straight FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile at Del Mar.

It was 2000 Guineas hero Notable Speech who was tasked with enhancing Appleby’s tremendous record in this race, and alongside Donnacha O’Brien’s Porta Fortuna, formed a strong European challenge.

Irish raider Porta Fortuna was short of room early as jockey Tom Marquand had to settle for a position in mid-pack, just ahead of Notable Speech, and met trouble throughout as the year’s leading filly at the distance failed to get involved.

However, a record-setting success looked possible for Appleby when William Buick pulled Notable Speech wide and turned on the son of Dubawi’s renowned after-burners entering the straight.

Notable Speech scorched home from a position in rear, but coming from even further back was More Than Looks, who powered his way to the front to give trainer Cherie DeVaux a first Breeders’ Cup victory.

The four-year-old winner reversed form with leading US contender Carl Spackler who did not figure at the business end, as Tim Yakteen’s Johannes held on for second, with Notable Speech third.

DeVaux said: “I really don’t know how to say it in words, this is just unbelievable.

“This is a horse we have had a lot of faith in from the beginning, things just haven’t gone to plan. The ownership group have been extremely patient with the plan we laid out for him and really all the credit goes to More Than Looks because he has been up against it all year and has answered every call and we’re here because of it.”

Buick said of Notable Speech: “I followed Umberto (Rispoli) on Johannes and had a pretty good trip.

“He ran a super race, it was his first time in a track like that.

“I thought it was between the two of us and then the winner arrived, showing that we had gone slow early.

“I’m extremely proud of the horse. To come here and leave with a winner (Rebel’s Romance in the Turf) is a credit to the whole team.”