William Buick enjoyed his 100th Group 1 winner when steering Mill Stream to victory in the feature July Cup at Newmarket on Saturday.
The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained four-year-old was scoring at the top level for the first time but proved he had to talent to mix it with the very best sprinters in the country when third in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.
With the three-year-old division looking strong, Mill Stream was sent off an 11/1 chance to claim a first Group 1 success and victory didn't always look likely for much of the six-furlong contest.
As expected, the pace was a furious one throughout with the likes of Art Power, Swingalong, and the 11/8 market leader Inisherin helping to force the early tempo.
Plenty looked to be in with a chance as the eleven-strong field approached the two-furlong marker, but as contenders moved inside the final furlong, it quickly became apparent that the Group 1 prize would lie between Swingalong and Mill Stream. The latter, who was positioned on his own towards the far side by four-timer-seeking champion jockey William Buick, edged to the front with 100 yards to travel and although Karl Burke's filly continued to battle on up the hill, she could never quite get on terms with the eventual winner.
The winning margin was a neck, with a further two lengths back to the third Vandeek, who fared best of the three-year-olds and emerged with plenty of credit on his first start since suffering a first defeat to the hands of Inisherin in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
Art Power stuck to this task well back in fourth, while Inisherin, who was all the rage in the betting after his impressive Commonwealth Cup success, could only manage to finish fifth in the hands of Tom Eaves.
"We were doing cartwheels when it rained, as it just took the sting out of the ground midweek. I think that is all he needs. He came here for a little bit of practice the other day," said the winning trainer.
"He's never sparkling in his work, he just gets there but that's him and as long as we know that, and William knows that, it's fine, but he's done it now, he's got the Group 1.
"You knew there was going to be a lot of speed and when they were doing 10 and change at halfway and he was sat in behind, I just knew he'd pick up and I'm thrilled.
"He likes it here, he's been second here, so it's nice to turn it round and get the win and he ran well at Ascot in third on very quick ground there. It's nice to win here with it being my home track and my favourite track.
"I'm a very lucky lady to have Peter Harris as an owner, he knows the game and he believes in the horse too, so it's good. It's nice to join him and Gai Waterhouse as a Group 1-winning trainer.
"Peter has a good team in the yard, he supports them, and he supports me, so to go and win a Group 1 for him, that's what he wants and what the yard needs, so it's good."
A tilt at the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville looks to be on the cards for Mill Stream, with Chapple-Hyam expecting her horse to relish the six-and-a-half-furlong test in France.
"He likes three weeks between races if you look back, so we'll go to Deauville next for the Prix Maurice de Gheest, he'll love the six and a half furlongs there – as a young horse, he got six there very well, so six-and-a-half, bring it on!"
Reflecting on his 100th Group 1 and fourth winner on the card, Buick said: "A good day at the office. To win the July Cup for the first time is great and Mill Stream has been a good horse this year. Jane thought she had him in better shape than when third at Ascot.
"I think that's my 100th Group 1 so to do it in the July Cup is extra special. It's always fantastic when we're racing here because there's no travelling involved! Now I'm saying everything I really hope it is my 100th Group 1 winner and I hope I'm not stuck on 99!"
