Scorpion Stings Rivals in Coronation Cup

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Scorpion led home an Aidan O’Brien exacta as the 2005 Ladbrokes St. Leger (Eng-I) winner powered to the wire 1 1/4 lengths clear of stablemate Septimus in the Vodafone Coronation Cup (Eng-I) at Epsom on Friday.

The 5-year-old son of Montjeu had been winless in his three starts since the St. Leger victory two years ago. His racing career has been hampered by injury and as a result, he missed most of the 2006 racing season. In his only prior start of this season, Scorpion finished second to Ask in the Blue Square Ormonde Stakes (Eng-III) in May.

Stablemate Septimus and Sir Michael Stoute’s Maraahel took turns exchanging the lead for the first seven furlongs of the race, and that game played right into the hands of Scorpion, as he tracked them in third. Jockey Mick Kinane moved Scorpion into second behind Septimus as the field turned for home. 

Both O’Brien trainees began to draw away from the rest of the field, with Maraahel still holding on in third. Under Kinane’s aggressive ride, Scorpion drew clear of Septimus for an impressive win. Maraahel was another half-length behind Septimus in third. Two fellow classic winners, 2006 Vodafone Derby (Eng-I) winner Sir Percy, and 2006 St. Leger (Eng-I) winner Sixties Icon turned in poor performances, finishing sixth and seventh, respectively.

Time for the 1 1/2 miles was 2:40.82 on the turf rated as good to soft.

The next start for Scorpion may be the Gold Cup (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot on June 21. It originally had been planned to run fellow group I winner Yeats there, but both horses may run now instead.

Scorpion is out of Ardmelody, by Law Society.  He is owned by Susan Magnier and Michael Tabor, and was bred in Ireland by Grangemore Stud.

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