KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

SUN CHARIOT STAKES

(GROUP 1)

AIDAN O’Brien’s chances of reaching, and passing Bobby Frankel’s record of 25 Group/Grade 1 winners in one season looks more than likely following Roly Poly’s triumph in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, which took the Ballydoyle maestro on to 23.

Starting at 4/1 second-favourite, Roly Poly was smartly away over the mile trip and Ryan Moore soon moved her across to the stands’ side. Many of the trainer’s winners make the rest of the running from that position but Moore was happy enough for outsider Dawn Of Hope and Colm O’Donoghue to take over two furlongs from home.

In front again inside the final furlong, Roly Poly was challenged by Frankie Dettori on market leader Persuasive but found plenty and pulled just over a length clear at the line, with Nathra and Usherette keeping on well.

The winner, by War Front, now standing at $250,000, out of Galileo’s daughter Misty For Me, is as tough as they come. The good ground helped her notch a third Group 1 victory of the season and the Breeders’ Cup is bound to enter calculations.

“She was a very good two-year-old but is not very big and you wondered if that was all she might be. But she’s progressed and progressed this year and when she wins she leaves you thinking there might be a bit more there,” O’Brien said.

“She and Rhododendron could be trained for the fillies’ race over a mile and one at the Breeders’ Cup.”