A homebred for Her Majesty The Queen, exciting three year-old Tactical made a winning return to the track overnight at Newmarket taking out the Listed European Free Handicap (7f).
A classy juvenile last year that won the Group II Newmarket July Stakes, the Andrew Balding trained Tactical scored a neck win over the Godolphin runner Naval Crown, who started favourite.
He powered home up the fence under strong riding from Oisin Murphy and one can only image his win was well cheered by Her Majesty offering a happier moment in what has no doubt been one of the most challenging weeks of her life.
“Tactical was going to be a Jersey Stakes horse, a St James's Palace horse or a Commonwealth Cup candidate for Royal Ascot. He's proven today that seven furlongs is no problem for him so I think it's now all roads to Royal Ascot for the Jersey,” said John Warren, racing manager to The Queen.
Tactical is the first winner for stakes-placed Makfi mare Make Fast, a daughter of Group III winner Raymi Coya.
Toronado is enjoying a great season in Australia with six stakes-winners headed by his Group I winning sprinter Masked Crusader.
A champion miler by High Chaparral, Toronado shuttles to Swettenham Stud in Victoria and covered 210 mares last spring.
