Cape Of Approval was too good for Maarek at Cork© Photo Healy Racing
With 4/11 shot Maarek under-performing ('jumped' sluggishly and never really travelled) it was left to Cape Of Approval to continue his love affair with Cork when capturing the Listed Midsummer Sprint Stakes - bringing up a double for Billy Lee in the process.
With Wayne Lordan banned, Lee was afforded a nice opportunity to further advertise his excellence in the plate and he gave Cape Of Approval a beautiful waiting ride to add to his earlier gains on Remember You
He attacked on the son of Cape Cross at the furlong pole and asserting inside the closing stages the Mrs Maureen Haughey-owned victor kept on well to beat Maarek by a length and three parts.
Following on from Dove Mountain in the first and Peggy's Leg in the second, Maarek became the third odds-on failure in four races. The other 'short-one' Bye Bye Birdie (4/9) got home by a neck in the third.
In this five furlong Midsummer Sprint Stakes, Red Dubawi (stopped in his run) was an eye-catcher, finishing three parts of a length off Maarek in third place.
Tommy Stack handles Cape Of Approval and his son 'Fozzy' commented: "It's his third win down here though his other two wins were on the round track.
"Billy (Lee) decided to let Maarek go first and leave his challenge late hoping that he'd stop in front.
"He's in the Wokingham (at Royal Ascot next week) and if it comes up soft he could go there. He'd need a lot of rain as his front legs are a bit tricky. He needs a good dig.
"He'd probably be well-in there now judged on this run.
"Otherwise he'll wait for the Scurry (the Paddy Power Sprint)." (AM & EM)
