Molatham’s Late Push Makes the Difference in Jersey

ASCOT, BERKSHIRE, ENGLAND – A late push from Shadwell Stable’s Molatham made the difference as he slipped past Monarch of Egypt late to win Thursday’s Jersey Stakes (G3) on Day 3 of the 2020 Royal Ascot Meet.

Breaking from the gates under Jim Crowley at 5/1 odds stateside, Molatham sat off the pace in midfield while Lord Of The Lodge led King Of Athens and King Leonidas, the 3/2 stateside favorite. The field remained tightly compacted until over halfway home, when the pace began to quicken.

Monarch Of Egypt tipped out into the clear on the far outside and rallied to the front, taking the lead 2 furlongs out. Molatham emerged from the middle of the pack to join him, and together, they separated from the field.

Racing stride for stride until the late stages, Molatham put in one final push that got the best of Monarch Of Egypt at the wire. The Roger Varian trainee crossed a 1/2-length ahead in a final time of 1:28.94 for the 7-furlong sprint over the soft going.

“I got headed and probably found myself there too soon in the race,” said Crowley, who has now won 5 this meet. “Molatham is a horse who does not want to be in front 2 furlongs out. He was going so well and I found myself in front. On the soft ground, it was difficult for me to sit and then expect him to pick up, so I went for home on him. I got headed (by Monarch Of Egypt) and that did me a favour.”

It was 3 1/4 lengths back to Symbolize, who nipped Ropey Guest by a 1/2-lenght for third. Celestin was fifth ahead of King Leonidas, who appeared to struggle on the very giving course.

Final Song, Lord Of The Lodge, Mystery Power, Above, Mister Snowdon, King Of Athens, and Ventura Lightning completed the order of finish. Fleeting Prince and Repartee were non-runners.

FIVE winners for @JimCrowley1978 👏

Molatham flies home to catch Monarch Of Egypt and win the Jersey Stakes 🚀

And that's a double today for trainer Roger Varian #RoyalAscot pic.twitter.com/TcAOhbGSia

— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 18, 2020

Molatham’s win came in his 2020 debut after earning a 4-2-1-0 record as a juvenile. The 3-year-old Night Of Thunder colt remains undefeated from 3 starts going this 7-furlong distance.

“Molatham is a lovely horse with a great temperament,” said Varian, who also won the Wolferton Stakes with Mountain Angel earlier on the card. “We have always thought the world of this horse and he has come to himself in the last few weeks. It is nice to have a good horse like this for Sheikh Hamdan (of Shadwell Stable), who has been a great supporter of mine since I started.”

Molatham brought back $13.80 to win and $4.80 to place, Monarch Of Egypt brought back $4.60 to place, and Symbolize paid $25.40 to place.