Michael Stoute's domination of the Vodafone Nassau Stakes continued at Goodwood today when Favourable Terms dramatically prevailed in a three-way photo to determine the Group One contest.
Kieren Fallon brought Favourable Terms to challenge the favourite Chorist inside the final furlong, but she had only just got the better of that duel when Silence Is Golden arrived with a wet sail on the outer.The subsequent photo showed Favourable Terms (11-2) a short head winner from the in-foal Silence Is Golden, with Chorist another neck away. The winner had appeared to squeeze up Chorist against the rail, but after a stewards' inquiry, which lasted around 10 minutes, the placings were allowed to stand.Stoute said Favourable Terms, who was Fallon's first winner at Goodwood this week, has to contend with a recurring back problem which might have explained her poor showing in the Falmouth Stakes on her previous start at Newmarket.The trainer, who has won this 10-furlong race on seven occasions, most recently with Islington in 2002 and Russian Rhythm last year, said: "We have to work on her back all the time, both before and after she exercises, and she's a bit like an old fast bowler even though she is in fact a young filly."I was encouraged by her last two bits of work, after which we had to treat her, and I think she's an admirable filly who is very good over a mile, too. I shall have to talk to Sheikh Maktoum about where she will run next, but we are in the fortunate position of being able to choose either way in terms of the distance."It would not be hard to imagine her competing at the Breeders' Cup, but Stoute added: "Texas is so far away I can't even spell it! I thought Kieren was brilliant today, but on one or two occasions this week he hasn't been."Silence Is Golden's performance endorsed the theory that a mare improves when in foal. Trainer Brian Meehan said: "Three more strides and she was a length in front. I don't think she can run after next Wednesday - we will scan her on Monday and hopefully she's in foal to Medicean. She's always been a very good filly."Chorist was not helped when the winner hung in to her and trainer William Haggas said: "Darryll (Holland) said it made a difference. She ran well and she will go for the Prix de l'Opera at Longchamp, before which she will have a run.I don't know where that will be."Jimmy Fortune clinched the top jockey title when making every yard of the running on Fong's Thong in the Vodafone Thoroughbred Stakes. The 6-4 favourite, who had created such a favourable impression when winning on his first outing for Meehan at Newbury, found extra when required and scored by two lengths and a short head from Mandobi and Kings Point.Fong's Thong began his racing life in the United States and it was on the wishes of owner Joe Allbritton that the colt joined Meehan in Lambourn.The trainer said: "Joe decided he would do better on turf and sent him over at the beginning of April. He's a very straightforward horse to train and has come on for his Newbury win. I think the world of him. He's one of those horses that don't come along very often and I would say he could go all the way."Favourite backers took a knock in the opening Vodafone Fillies' Stakes when Pongee could not repel the challenge of Astrocharm, who beat her by three-quarters of a length in the hands of Neil Callan.