Communique shines as Masar flops

Trainer Charlie Appleby has offered no excuses for Masar’s Group Two flop at Newmarket.

Communique has powered to victory in the Princess of Wales’s Stakes, at Newmarket with last year’s Derby winner Masar finishing last of the six runners.

The Mark Johnston-trained Communique won his fourth race at Headquarters under Sylvestre de Sousa.

James Doyle struggled to find any cover for Masar, with Charlie Appleby’s charge having just his second run since his finest hour at Epsom.

That meant he ran keenly and when push came to shove, Masar found little and dropped away.

Communique was sent off an 11-1 shot and when Dashing Willoughby weakened, only Mirage Dancer looked a possible threat, but the northern raider proved a length and three-quarters too good.

“We don’t really have tactics and any idea he has to lead is not true – he bowled along and it didn’t matter he wasn’t in front,” Johnston said.

“He’s had a couple of goes in Group Ones and come up short, but on his day he’s that class – that’s two Group Twos now.

“He’ll get another shot at a Group One some time soon.

“He is in one at Hoppegarten and another Group One in Germany. That would be the sort of stepping stone before having a go at another Group One in England.”

Appleby said Masar cost himself by over-racing.

“He was in as good a nick as we could have him. He was fit and well,” he said.

“I hate to use an excuse when a race doesn’t pan out for you, but they didn’t go much of a gallop and he was just unfortunately over-racing on the outside and it paid in the end.

“As usual we hope he comes out all right, then we will make a decision on what we do with him. There are no immediate decisions.

“On his bit of work last Wednesday, I had no excuses coming into today. He had ticked every box. The great thing about this game is that it levels you.”