There was a shock winner in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, as 22-1 shot Audience upset the odds.
All the talk going into the showpiece race had been surrounding French contender Big Rock and the Gosden’s Inspiral, who traded places at the top of the betting during the build up.
But it was Inspiral’s stablemate, Audience, who would prove the markets wrong, finding the lead with 7f to go and showing great ability to fend off a chasing pack down the straight.
Originally kept in Britain by John Gosden to assist in the training of Inspiral, expectations were reversed as a horse intended to be a pacemaker beat out the six-time Group 1 winner.
Jockey Robert Havlin drew praise for a riding performance which maximised his horse’s strengths.
Roger Varian’s Charyn came in a valiant second, but was left wanting one more furlong as a final charge was left just too late.
There was a third place for Marlborough trainer Richard Hannon, as Witch Hunter ran a steady race to beat more fancied prospects.
2-1 bookies’ favourite Inspiral managed only fourth. Jockey Kieran Shoemark directed him across to the near side during the first furlong, after starting in stall one and failing to make a real impact.
Much fancied Big Rock, on debut for new trainer Maurizio Guarnieri, was 11-4 in the betting, but failed to make progress after a stumbling start and a weak final furlong.
