ALBANY STAKES

(GROUP 3)

MARK Johnston won the last race on Thursday and stayed in the groove with Main Edition, 7/1, when Friday’s card opened in absolutely brilliant sunshine.

The Zoffany filly kept her unbeaten record in the Group 3 Albany Stakes, coming up the centre of the track and keeping on strongly to hold Godolphin’s La Pelosa by a neck with the well-supported Fairyland faring best of those on the far side.

She ran far better than her Ballydoyle stable-companion Just Wonderful, who was made 2/1 favourite but dropped right out as if something was amiss.

Main Edition was completing a hat-trick, having scored impressively at Windsor and Goodwood.

She found plenty for James Doyle in the closing stages and may well take high rank among the juvenile fillies, a department where Johnston is blessed with plenty of talent this year.

“Yes, we haven’t got as many fillies as colts but the way she’s won says plenty for the others at home,” the trainer said.

“We came here knowing she was pretty useful and she’s confirmed it. We don’t talk about things like the 1000 Guineas in June but you’re always looking towards the Cheveley Park Stakes, although there will be other races before then.”

“She may have been helped by the strip of ground used by the royal procession,” Doyle added. “It’s fast but really beautiful ground and she acted perfectly on it.”

No doubt something will come to light where Just Wonderful is concerned, while there is no middle way for Wesley Ward’s runners, who seem to win or drop away quickly. Stillwater Cove ran fast against the far rails but soon weakened when the pack closed.