Laurens digs deep in Fillies’ Mile to spark Classic dreams

Stopping the Aidan O’Brien juggernaut in Group One races at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile has proven a difficult task this season but it was one that Laurens proved up to in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile.

While the Classic dreams of two of the Ballydoyle contingent may have taken a knock, the same cannot be said for the Karl Burke-trained daughter of Siyouni.

After showing a tenacious attitude to claim the May Hill at Doncaster last time out, the 10-1 shot displayed that same willing attitude to deny the late thrust of the O’Brien-trained September by a nose, to give winning jockey PJ McDonald his first top-level triumph.

Burke said: “She’s a very high-class filly and we always knew that. She is a galloper rather than a speed horse at this stage of her career. I suppose if the Guineas came up on soft ground that would be a big option, but we will sleep on it and go through all the options.

“I think the ideal race for her next year would be the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) over a mile and a quarter, but we’ll sit and think.”

McDonald said: “I honestly can’t believe it. I’m 35 years of age now and the relief when that number got called out was amazing. If I never do anything else in my career, I’ve ridden a Group One winner.”

It may have taken Limato (6-4) the best part of the season to get over his exertions to Dubai, but the five-year-old showed he is still a class act when forming the first leg of a double for Harry Bentley and Henry Candy in the Godolphin Stud And Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes.

Candy said: “It was good to see him back to his old self. He is now quite a big, rangy horse and is now crying out for a mile. He settles well in his races and was certainly not stopping there.”

Chain Of Daisies (7-2) could return to the track again next season after completing doubles for Candy and Bentley when landing the Listed Join Club Godolphin Pride Stakes for the second time in her career.

Altyn Orda (25-1) registered her first success when storming home to take the Group Three Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh Sharp Stakes.

Her trainer Roger Varian said: “I think she is a promising filly, she is a Group Three winner now and I think she has beaten a good field and it was a deep renewal of this race, I think we will come back for a Guineas trial or go straight to a Guineas of some description.”

Performance of the day

Veracious is bred to be a champion and judging by the manner of her success in the seven-furlong maiden she could be another Classic type to hail from the yard of Sir Michael Stoute. Following her four-length success the daughter of Frankel was given quotes for the 1000 Guineas.

Ride of the day

James Doyle knew exactly where he wanted to be aboard Abel Handy in the Cornwallis Stakes and having kept his mount close to the pace he showed plenty of strength to get the Declan Carroll-trained son of Arcano up at the right time in the Group Three.

Quote of the day

Limato will now have a well-earned break after landing the Challenge Stakes – something others might not look forward to. Candy said: “He will have a proper holiday now and go out in the paddock and torment people.”