Dark Vision Scores Nicely In Germany

The Mark Johnston trained Dark Vision landed Group Two glory on Friday over in Germany as the four year old went over to Baden-Baden to land the Kronimus Orettingen-Rennen.

The Godolphin owned colt after a poor three year old campaign has bounced back to his best this term not finishing outside the top two in all four of his events.

He finished second on his seasonal debut behind Sir Busker who has since gone on to frank the form with a solid performance in the Silver Royal Hunt Cup.

Dark Vision landed the spoils in his next contest at the royal meeting taking the Royal Hunt Cup and off the back of that was another bright second behind winner at the Ebor meeting Montatham.

The four year old went to Pontefract for a Listed event and in quick conditions managed to get the job done, winning well.

With spirits high in the Dark Vision camp the colt then went to York and the bubble slightly burst finishing sixth of nine runner in the Group Three Strensall Stakes and Johnston must have been thinking what to do next.

However, like the superb trainer he is, he sent him over to Germany keeping him at the mile and up in to Group Two company and in a thrilling finish the four year old managed to get up on the line.

That was the first time the son of Dream Ahead has landed a group success since his 2018 Vintage Stakes win at Glorious Goodwood and also it was the first time he had been ridden by Franny Norton since his winning maiden at Yarmouth over two years ago.

(Credit Racing Post) Franny Norton said: "William Buick gave me a lot of help in terms of how to ride the horse and told me I should leave Dark Vision to do his own thing.

He really got going late on and was flying inside the final furlong."