TO rapturous applause, Queen Elizabeth’s filly Estimate landed the Group 2 Socialites Electric Cigarettes Doncaster Cup on Town Moor yesterday.

The five-year-old, successful in the Ascot Gold Cup last year and a gallant second this time around, battled on in determined fashion to beat Whiplash Willie by just over a length with Sabrina Harty’s Kalann, starting at a remarkable 80/1, only a neck away in third. Dual Doncaster Cup winner Times Up never joined issue this time.

Very Good Day led at a modest gallop and was several lengths clear at one stage before James Doyle on Brass Ring made his move and went on before the two-furlong marker.

The pace had been steady and it was no great surprise that several challengers emerged in the closing stages, including Estimate, who went on sooner than many thought likely.

However, on a mare who stays two and a half miles, Ryan Moore had no worries stamina-wise and, although Whiplash Willie threw down a determined challenge and Kalann was not about to cry enough, the royal runner had too much in hand in the closing stages and ran on to score in decisive fashion. She was sent off at 11/8 favourite and class told in the end.

The big question afterwards concerned the possibility of going for the Melbourne Cup but Sir Michael Stoute was quick to point out that the decision would be down to the Queen’s advisers and, in particular, John Warren.

“She’s a special filly and ran really well in the Gold Cup again,” the trainer said. “It was much too firm for her at Goodwood but she ran well again last time and has done it well here. Credit is due to the whole team because she takes a bit of knowing and can get bored at times.”

Warren, happy enough to field questions, confirmed that Estimate would either have one more run, which certainly means Australia, or retire to the paddocks.

“There are so many things to consider,” he said. “I think Her Majesty may decide that she’s done enough and can retire now, but it’s not certain. There’s the question of the travel, of course, and the pace they go in the Melbourne Cup, which would be very different from here. We’ll see what Ryan and the whole team think but she’s certainly special.”