Impressive Colt Completes Double For Camelot

Maori Knight (3c Camelot – Chatham Islands, by Elusive Quality) built on some promising juvenile form to easily justify favoritism in Thursday’s maiden at Chelmsford.

The Richard Hughes-trained bay finished third on debut in July and was last seen in September, when beaten a length and a half in a competitive maiden at Doncaster. Stepping up to a mile on his three-year-old return, he was ridden to make all by Kieran Shoemark and drew clear inside the final furlong, winning by five lengths.

Owned by White Beech Farm, Maori Knight was bought by his trainer and Avenue Bloodstock as a yearling for €82,000. Bred and sold by Lynn Lodge Stud, the son of Camelot is a half-brother to Group 3 winner Balty Boys.

Maori Knight completed a double on the day for Coolmore Stud sire Camelot, with Heliabel (3f Camelot – Martinette, by Mizzen Mast) having earlier made a winning debut over ten furlongs at Lyon.

Trained by Simone Brogi for Team Valor International, she was ridden to chase the leaders by Mickael Forest and quickened as they turned for home. Pushed out in the straight, she ran on to score by three parts of a length on the line.

Bred by H Rousseau, Heliabel comes from the family of Xaar, Masterclass and Close Hatches.