Cerro Blanco climbs to first Listed victory at Sandown

Cerro Blanco enhanced his reputation with a first Listed success of his career at Sandown in the Trainor Stone & Tile Fortune Stakes.

Charlie Appleby’s inexperienced colt has always been held in high regard and his unlocked potential saw him sent off the 11-8 favourite for the feature event in Esher, where the son of Wootton Bassett faced some more seasoned rivals in his first outing at a mile.

His class ultimately told as he sauntered to a commanding length and three-quarters victory in the hands of William Buick, with William Haggas’ Crown Of Oaks runner-up ahead of John and Thady Gosden’s Nahraan.

Buick told Racing TV: “It was a nice performance and a step up on what he has done before.

“The Sandown mile can be a tricky track for an inexperienced horse and I couldn’t really get in anywhere where I wanted to. We were on the fresher ground where we were, but he was comfortable out there and relaxed. It was very smooth with him today.

“I think he was a good bit superior (to his rivals) and there were horses in the race with proven stakes form. This was only his fourth start and I was really pleased with what he did.

“Charlie will sit down with the team and make a decision where he goes next. There’s plenty of the season left, but you would imagine he would be a lovely prospect for next season as well.

“I think he is comfortable at a mile for now. There’s a chance he could get 10 furlongs, but not in the immediate future I don’t think.”

Earlier on the card, Charyn’s brother Chymbulak upheld family honour when opening his account at the third attempt for trainer Roger Varian in the Trainor Stone & Tile EBF Maiden Stakes.