Dawn Approach takes the Coventry

Dawn Approach, who was the first ever runner and first ever winner for first-season sire New Approach, maintained his perfect record in the best possible style on the opening day of Ascot’s Royal Meeting, landing the G2 Coventry Stakes.

Facing a far tougher test than on his previous three starts, Jim Bolger’s charge looked to be under pressure with two furlongs left to run, but kept finding more and ran on superbly to win by three quarters of a length from Olympic Glory.

Dawn Approach has been a fantastic flagbearer for his young sire, chalking up his first win back in March. He followed up with a five-and-a-half length victory in May, before successfully stepping up in class to take the Listed Rochestown Stakes earlier this month.

His owner/breeder/trainer Jim Bolger indicated after the race that he will now be given a short break before stepping up to G1 level with the National Stakes and the Dewhurst highlighted as possible targets. He is also now as short as 7-1 for next year’s 2,000 Guineas.

New Approach is also sire of impressive Newmarket maiden winner Newfangled, who lines up in the G3 Albany Stakes on Friday, and fellow wide-margin winner Tha'Ir, who is entered for the Listed Chesham Stakes on the final day of the Royal Meeting.

New Approach stands at Northwood Park at a fee of $33,000 including GST.