The Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate could be set for another trip to Melbourne following Crystal Black’s impressive staying performance in the Duke Of Edinburgh Handicap on Day 4 at Royal Ascot.
Crystal Black is owned by the Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate, made up of four friends who raise money for the Irish Cancer Society.
The group was involved in True Self, who campaigned in Melbourne on three occasions and won the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) in 2019 and 2020.
That trip to Melbourne was one of the first things raised by winning co-owner Neville Eager after Crystal Black’s win, which has given the Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate and trainer Gerard Keane something to think about.
“We had a horse with Willie Mullins called True Self, with a lovely girl called Breda Miley who was always with us, but she’s passed away since.
“We raise money for cancer, and Colin (Keane) rode True Self for us.
“We’ve been to Melbourne before with True Self, but I don’t know whether he’ll go back with this horse yet. I haven’t had time to catch my breath.”
Crystal Black is a son of Teofilo, who has sired three winners of the Melbourne Cup, including last year’s spring star Without A Fight.
Crystal Black, who started 11/1 with betting apps, came with a sustained challenge wide of his rivals in the 2414-metre Duke Of Edinburgh and swept past the 7/4 favourite Ethical Diamond in the final furlong and was too good for the late-finishing efforts of runner-up Epic Poet and third Ziggy.
Gerard Keane, who celebrated his first win at Royal Ascot with the victory, said the team would let the dust settle before deciding what is next.
“He will have a couple of weeks holiday and we shall see.”
A trip to Melbourne could see a father/son team involved in the Spring Carnival features with Gerard’s son Colin aboard the six-year-old at Royal Ascot.
“It is the most emotional I’ve felt about riding a winner,” Keane said.
“It is very special riding one for my father at Royal Ascot and a great bunch of owners.”
Keane Jnr said Crystal Black handled the good-to-firm conditions better than the team expected, which could be significant if they do decide to take in a trip to Melbourne.
“Coming over here, we said if it was Good to Firm, we wouldn’t run, but I’ve been riding him out all week in the mornings and I couldn’t believe how well he moved on it,” Keane said.
“At home, he can just win a neck or head and has kept on the right side of the handicapper, thankfully. You’d imagine he’d have to move up to Group level now.”