MAMMAS Girl (101+) propelled herself to prominence in the Qipco 1000 Guineas market with a thoroughly likeable performance in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes on the middle day of the three-day fixture, and there is a potential for better still to come when she steps up to the mile.
The contest started in the reverse circumstances to the finish as Richard Hannon’s filly was slow to stride and subsequently found herself in behind horses when the race began in earnest.
However, with Sean Levey judging the situation to a nicety, the daughter of Havana Grey strode clear in the final stages, completing her race in 36.70secs.
To contextualise the finishing sectional, the next best in the Group 3 contest for fillies was third-placed Secret Angel (97), who covered the same ground in 37.44secs.
The task awaiting Mammas Girl is a difficult one as Meditate and Tahiyra set a very high standard. However, the former must prove herself over the trip and the latter on the undulations of the Rowley Mile.
There are no such doubts about the Amo Racing-owned filly who looks an attractive each-way alternative providing her, as yet unproven, stamina holds out.
Potential
Charles Hills enjoyed three winners at headquarters, none with more potential than Orazio (106+) who looks equipped to graduate to pattern company when he has exhausted his handicap mark.
After travelling strongly in midfield, the four-year-old hung right when first asked for his challenge, although with jockey William Buick alive to the situation and switching his whip, the partnership were soon back on an even keel. In closing off his race in 36.57secs, the son of Caravaggio was at his most impressive when encountering the rising ground.
The Wokingham Handicap at Royal Ascot is reportedly the target for the lightly raced four-year-old, where the stiff Ascot finish will play to the quality he exhibited in winning this 0-100 contest.
Canberra Legend (103) is making up for lost time on the track, having now won both his racecourse appearances as a three-year-old, claiming the Listed Feilden Stakes on this occasion with a strong final furlong.
Full stride
Entering the final 220yds, James Ferguson’s colt looked to be on the wrong end of the result as Kolsai (103) displayed a smart turn of foot. However, with the leader fading and the winner gathering full stride against the rising ground himself, the son of Australia finished the strongest to win by a length at the line.
The comparison data for the principals through the final furlong was 12.93secs and 13.26secs respectively and reflected in finishing splits of 37.19secs and 37.05secs.
A Derby trial of some description will be next on the agenda for the winner while Roger Varian may look to come back in trip with the second or head to a track with a less demanding finish.
Persian Dreamer (96+) added her name to the list of Amo Racing juveniles bound for Royal Ascot with a stunning debut in the fillies’ maiden.
Despite edging across the track, the daughter of Calyx produced the fastest finish of the day, covering the final three furlongs in 35.53secs and appears a Queen Mary candidate already.