Royal Ascot: Hollie Doyle and Saint Lawrence work wonders to take Wokingham Stakes
- Planet Sport writer
- 24 June 2023
Saint Lawrence was able to turn up the heat late on to take the Wokingham Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Saint Lawrence returned to winning ways in the Wokingham Stakes to oblige on his first start for Archie Watson and provide Hollie Doyle with a third victory at this year's Royal Ascot.
A Listed winner at two for Roger Varian, the five-year-old had run several good races since but failed to get his head in front.
After two further runs for Varian this season, owner John Deer decided to move him to Watson, already on the mark twice this week with Bradsell and Rhythm N Hooves, both ridden by Doyle.
Drawn highest of all in stall 30, the high numbers looked a long way behind at halfway as the Swedish raider Duca Di Como set a blistering gallop on the far side.
Just over a furlong out the pace appeared to collapse in that group, though, allowing those drawn high to close up.
It was Doyle and Saint Lawrence (22-1) who finished fastest of all, to beat Apollo One by a length with Juan Le Pins third and Mums Tipple fourth for Frankie Dettori.
Watson said: "I'm delighted and just very grateful to Mr Deer for sending him to us, he just felt he would benefit from a change of scenery. He's always shown us plenty at home, he's a very nice horse to have around and I'm just delighted to get the job done on first time of asking.
"I fancied all three of them (stable's runners), I made sure Hollie chose which one to ride so it wasn't my fault and she she chose right! He's run a huge race and I'm delighted."
Reflecting on his Royal Ascot week, he said: "It's incredible. We came here with a handful of 20-1 shots really, and to win three races is just beyond my wildest dreams. It's amazing."
Doyle added: "We're a great team and I don't feel any pressure when riding for Archie. I know his horses inside out and he leaves it to me most of the time. Thankfully it has paid off.
"It's been an amazing week for both me and Tom (Marquand, husband), and it's great having our families here. My dad couldn't be here today, but he's glued to the TV at home.
"I can't put it into words - to have the winner (Bradsell) on the first day was amazing and you think 'well, we'll do well to better that' so to walk away from Royal Ascot with three winners, after being off for three months at the start of the year )with a broken elbow), is incredible.
"I needed quite a lot of work done and had an operation after a delay, but I said as long as I'm back by Royal Ascot I don't mind."
