Podium finish for Maxfield in Group 1 Whitney Stakes

Maxfield produced a determined display on his return to G1 company when finishing second behind impressive gate-to-wire winner Knicks Go in the nine-furlong Whitney Stakes at Saratoga on Saturday.

The Street Sense colt, winner of the G1 Breeders’ Futurity in 2019 and third on his only other G1 appearance in this year’s Santa Anita Handicap, was rousted leaving the stalls to dispute third on the outside of Silver State as Knicks Go tore off into an uncontested lead. Knicks Go continued to dictate in front but saw his advantage reduced turning for home as his four rivals started to close.

Maxfield was shuffled back to fourth at the top of the lane but quickened well between horses soon after to challenge G1 Met Mile winner Silver State for second over a furlong out.

The Brendan Walsh-trained four-year-old gamely got the better of Silver State entering the final half-furlong and kept on in the closing stages under Jose Ortiz without threatening Knicks Go, who prevailed by four and a half lengths.

Godolphin USA President Jimmy Bell said: “Maxfield was second-best today behind a very good winner, who set legitimate fractions all the way round and looked like he won with something to spare.

“Our horse put in a good effort and ran hard. I thought he battled very bravely with Silver State down to the wire and displayed a lot of tenacity against a very strong field. He showed up in a race that is about as strong as it gets in the older division.” Creative Flair gained some more G3 Black Type as she produced a strong finish to take third in the Saratoga Oaks over an extended nine furlongs at Saratoga, USA, on Sunday, 8 August.

The Dubawi filly, who filled the same position on her G3 debut in the Prix Chloe in mid-July, was half a stride slow leaving the stalls and raced in a clear seventh early on before moving up a place down the inside rail after the first quarter-mile.

She quickened for Mike Smith to go fourth at the top of the straight and continued to stay on after being switched out, passing Gam’s Mission for third with half a furlong to race before hitting the line well.

Con Lima made all of the running for a three-quarter length success over Higher Truth, with a further length and a quarter back to the Godolphin homebred.

Her trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Creative Flair ran a very creditable race. She was a little slow from the gates, which meant she wasn’t in the best place to challenge turning in, but she did everything the right way round and finished her race well. We will bring her back to the UK now and have a think about her next target.”

Walton Street secured a first placing at G1 level when coming home third in the Grosser Preis von Berlin over a mile and a half at Hoppegarten, Germany, on Sunday.

The seven-year-old, making his first appearance for Charlie Appleby since finishing fourth in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March, was quickly into his stride and soon established a length advantage over his seven rivals.

Walton Street kicked for home under James Doyle at the top of the straight and rallied after being headed by Alpinista over a furlong from home. He continued to battle but was passed by Torquator Tasso close home to go down by just under four lengths in total.

Charlie Appleby said: “We were pleased with Walton Street, who produced another solid performance. James felt that he just got a bit tired in the final 100 yards and he is entitled to come on for his first run in a while. We might think about coming back to Germany next month or look at another international option.”