Fanny Logan put in a career best effort with victory at 17/2 in the 1m 4f Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
This was a fifth Group race win of this year’s meeting for trainer John Gosden. It was a race of disappointments, but that didn’t matter to Frankie Dettori.
Fresh from his Gold Cup romp aboard Stradivarius yesterday, the top jockey held Fanny Logan up early on. She then made progress around the field after turning for home and stayed on well.
At the line, Fanny Logan was 2 1/2 lengths clear of 40/1 outsider Alounak who reversed Coronation Cup form with 9/4 favourite Anthony Van Dyck and Defoe.
Elarqam didn’t see out the mile-and-a-half trip on this softer surface for Mark Johnston. Both the 11/4 chance and 2019 Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck finished out of the frame.
Hardwicke Stakes success for Fanny Logan earns her a 10/1 quote for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes back here at Ascot next month.
Only stable companion Enable, Coronation Cup scorer Ghaiyyath and Japan are shorter prices in bookmaker betting for that Group 1 test over course and distance.
Analysis: Fanny Logan career best sets up King George tilt
Jamie Clark, Horsebetting.com Editor
What is about Gosden and progressive four-year-olds? First Lord North in the Prince Of Wales here earlier in the week, and now Fanny Logan.
Another ice cool Dettori ride saw her take a massive step forward here. Fanny Logan was a prolific winner at Listed level against her own sex last season.
A race like the Hardwicke Stakes demanded a lot more, so it is quite remarkable. If Gosden keeps on taking these Group prizes, then the champion trainer title is in the bag again.
The King George requires further progress from Fanny Logan, though. Like the bookies’ ante post favourite Enable, she gets a sex allowance in open races.
It was the difference here, but midsummer conditions may be different. That being said, the King George meeting got hit by rain last year.
Soft going may suit Fanny Logan. Even the unpredictable British summer cannot guarantee her that in the weeks ahead.
