African Story justifies stable confidence in Godolphin Mile

Although Do It All figured to set the pace, he never managed to get to the

front from post 11. Instead, British shipper Red Jazz ended up carving out the

pace, stalked by Do It All and Snaafy in the early going. Western Aristocrat,

uncharacteristically farther back near the rear, was pulled up by jockey Ryan

Moore.

Leaving the far turn, Dettori deftly angled African Story off the rail,

threaded the eye of the needle between horses, and the race was over in a few

strides. Viscount Nelson rallied from far back to finish a clear second by 1 3/4

lengths from Red Jazz.

"Never going to beat the winner, so finishing second was as good as a win,"

said Kevin Shea, who rode the runner-up. "Really excited about the run."

Michael Hills, who piloted Red Jazz, remarked, "He was third last year, so

pound for pound it was almost an identical run. He's been off for a very long

time, he didn't lack race fitness, just that racing edge, but he battled on well

when he was headed."

Richard's Kid also worked home late for fourth, just

failing to grab third by a neck.

"That's his style of running, he always comes from the back," explained

Richard Mullen, who had the call on Richard's Kid. "There was a nice pace on,

and he got the splits when he needed them. He's more of a 10-furlong horse, so

we're pretty happy with this run."

Haatheq, First City, Shamalgan, Sandagiyr, Derbaas, Dux Scholar, Snaafy and

Do It All rounded out the order of finish while Barbecue Eddie was withdrawn

earlier in the week.

Western Aristocrat was reportedly

uninjured, but Moore acted in an abundance of caution because the Jeremy Noseda

colt had lost his action.

"I really don't know what happened, but the horse is fine," Moore said.

Bred by Darley in Great Britain, African Story is by Pivotal and out of the

stakes-placed Gone West mare Blixen. The five-year-old chestnut gelding counts

as his second dam Grade 1 queen Danish, a full sister to Group 3 winner and

multiple Grade/Group 1-placed Ace.