Time Lock too strong again in Princess Royal repeat

Time Lock opened her account for the campaign with a successful defence of the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Stakes at Newmarket.

Harry Charlton’s Frankel mare was a decisive winner of the Group Three contest 12 months ago, but subsequently disappointed on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot.

While the five-year-old had failed to add to her tally in three subsequent starts this term, she was placed in the Jockey Club Stakes in May and in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes on her most recent outing in July and she was a 13-8 favourite to rediscover the winning trail following a two-month break.

After being settled in third place for much of the mile and a half contest by Ryan Moore, Time Lock was asked to go about her business racing inside the final two furlongs and soon pulled clear of the pacesetting duo of Place Of Safety and Comic Book.

The result was never in any doubt thereafter, with Moore keeping his mount up to her work in the testing conditions to seal a five-length victory, with Comic Book pipping Place Of Safety to second.

Barry Mahon, Juddmonte’s racing manager, said: “She obviously likes it here, that’s twice she’s won this race now. We’ll talk to the owners whether she will be retired or not.

“We had half an idea about whether or not to go to Hong Kong for the mile and a half race or not in December, Ryan just said that could be a good option for her depending on what’s in it.

“The owners would be delighted whether we retire her now or give her one more roll of the dice. She’ll retire either way at the end of this year to be bred from and she’s a nice broodmare prospect.”

Juddmonte have two other very smart middle-distance fillies in their ranks in Kalpana and Bluestocking for the rest of the season.

“Kalpana is in very good nick and she goes to Ascot for the Fillies & Mares on Champions Day,” continued Mahon.

“Bluestocking is going to do a bit in the morning and if Ralph (Beckett) is happy with everything, then we’ll probably look to supplement her for the Arc on Tuesday.”