Ballydoyle’s King Charles Mission Under Control

A late surge against the stands’ rail delivered a Royal Ascot landmark for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore as Mission Central snatched the Gr1 King Charles III Stakes in a finish that denied Australian sprinter Overpass a famous international win. For much of the closing stages the race appeared to be playing out through Overpass, Jakajaro and Rayevka, with the Australian favourite on the speed, headed, and then fighting his way back into the contest with the tenacity that has defined his career. Yet as attention stayed fixed on that battle, Michael Tabor’s colours suddenly appeared low in the picture, with Mission Central charging home at 14/1 to join Rayevka on the line and force a photo. The verdict went the way of the 3YO, giving O’Brien and Moore victory in every Gr1 race at Royal Ascot and extending Mission Central’s unbeaten run for the season. O’Brien said the colt had been given “an incredible ride”, explaining that the fierce early pace suited a horse blessed with natural speed but accustomed to being much handier when races are run more steadily. He said Moore recognised how hard they were going and produced the colt with perfect timing, driving him through the final furlong to a win that delighted the Ballydoyle team. Rayevka was desperately unlucky not to claim the prize, and trainer Francis Graffard said the mare had produced “an amazing turn of foot” at the distance, admitting he briefly thought she had the race won before realising on the post that Mission Central had finished even stronger. Graffard said dropping back to five furlongs on fast ground had been crucial after her Dubai run showed six furlongs stretched her, and he believes she can still win a Gr1 this year if similar conditions are found, possibly again in Britain. Overpass finished third, with Rosy Affair fourth, and Bjorn Baker took pride rather than frustration from his gelding’s performance. Baker said Overpass had gone “super” and had again delivered for his team, describing him not quite as an Australian champion in the purest sense, but “our champion”. He noted the horse had travelled like a war horse and that the uphill finish may have been the difference between winning and losing, while also pointing out that Overpass did not quite nail the start in his usual fashion. Still, Baker could not resist looking at the brighter side, saying they had beaten 23 rivals and been defeated only by two of the world’s best trainers. For a horse representing a Sydney stable on one of racing’s grandest stages, it was another performance of courage and quality. Baker, born in Woodville in New Zealand and now living his racing dream from Sydney, said Australians love an underdog and made it clear the experience had sharpened rather than dulled his ambition, adding: “Trust me, I haven't bought this hat for nothing!”