Lucarno Battles to Victory in Great Voltigeur

Lucarno repelled a four-strong challenge from Aidan O'Brien's stable to capture the Ladbrokes Great Voltigeur Stakes (Eng-II) at York August 21.

The O'Brien-trained brigade had to settle for filling the second through fifth spots as Lucarno and Jimmy Fortune won by a comfortable length from favored Yellowstone.  Macarthur, a full-brother to Vodafone Derby (Eng-I) winner Motivator, got up for third, a half-length further back.

Lucarno has always been highly regarded by trainer John Gosden.  So much was thought of him that Gosden ran the colt in the Derby in what was just his fourth career start.  The son of Dynaformerperformed admirably, finishing a good fourth to Authorized.

Lucarno went to the front shortly after the start of the 1 1/2-mile contest, and led the field at a comfortable gallop for the first six furlongs.  Jimmy Fortune gave Lucarno a bit of a breather at the halfway point, and Mahler, under Mick Kinane, took over the lead.

These two colts held their positions as they headed into the straightaway, with Yellowstone close behind in third.  Fortune then sent Lucarno back to the lead, and the pair gradually drew off in the final furlong to win easily.

Time for the 12 furlongs was 2:33.07 over a course rated as good.

Lucarno is out of the stakes-winning Diesis mare, Vignette.  He races as a homebred for George Strawbridge.