Namibian gave Mark Johnston his 50th Glorious Goodwood winner with a performance characteristic of so many of the trainer’s best horses in the Gordon Stakes.
It is often mentioned that this week in Sussex is a working holiday for Middleham-based Johnston, but he arrives eager for success and rarely fails to deliver.
So it was somewhat surprising to note this was just the second time he had taken this St Leger trial, with Bandari ending up finishing third in the Classic at Doncaster in 2002.
Namibian (7-1) has followed a typically arduous program mapped out by Johnston, starting off through Listed races before winning the Queen’s Vase over two miles (3200m) at Royal Ascot, but his appetite for a battle had certainly not diminished as he fought off the attentions of the favourite Fiorente by a neck.
Silvestre De Sousa, increasingly Johnston’s jockey of choice these days, found himself alongside Ryan Moore and Fiorente in the home straight after a lethargic pace set by Well Sharp and there was very little between the pair all the way to the line.
The winner was quickly cut to 10-1 by St Leger sponsors Ladbrokes.
“He started at a fairly low grade and clearly he wasn’t ready early in the season, but he’s made rapid progress,” Johnston said.
“It was a very last-minute decision to run him as Dordogne was my first choice but when the rain came this morning, that made up my mind.
“I wasn’t sure about the trip at all. It was a bit experimental coming back but it has made up our minds for the future.
“It shows the Queen’s Vase isn’t just for out-and-out stayers and I was surprised no-one was talking about him for the Leger after Ascot as it was in my mind after that.
“Obviously the owner has got to be involved in that decision, but a mile and three-quarters (2800m) should be no problem at Doncaster.”
Fiorente went off at 11-10 after chasing home subsequent King George winner Nathaniel at Royal Ascot, and his next target is hanging in the balance.
“We were beaten fair and square but he’s a progressive horse our fellow, and doesn’t have many miles on the clock,” trainer Sir Michael Stoute said.
“He’s in the St Leger but this isn’t a good time to make a decision about that race.”
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