Front-running Group 2 Success For Wootton Bassett Colt

Puerto Rico (2c Wootton Bassett - April Showers, by Galileo) became the latest Group-winning juvenile for Wootton Bassett when capturing the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle colt had placed in two Group 2s earlier this season and was settled at the front under Sean Levey this time. Stepping up to seven furlongs, the son of Wootton Bassett came home gamely to win by a length.

Levey said of the Group 1-entered colt: “I would have been happy to have taken a lead, but one thing with these horses – they are happy in front.

“Oisin’s [Murphy] horse [Oxagon] was keen last time and probably lacked experience so he won’t have wanted that to happen again.

“My lad was very straightforward. He’s danced a few dances and had plenty of experience, we got into a nice rhythm, he picked up quite nicely there and showed that he’s a good horse, especially now up to seven."

He added: “He was beautifully settled. At the four marker when I was just starting to wind it up he was just filling his lungs up. When he got to the two he still had plenty in reserve."

Puerto Rico was bred by the April Showers Syndicate.