Lady Aurelia simply stunning in Queen Mary Stakes
IN a performance that has to be seen to believe, Lady Aurelia has produced arguably the best racing performance since Frankel graced the Royal Ascot track.
The two-year-old filly lined up in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes and the US$350,000 purchase showed why its owners paid so much for it. After jumping straight to the lead over the 1000m distance, champion jockey Frankie Dettori didn’t move a muscle in guiding his mount to a seven-length romp.
The $3 favourite at Crownbet.com.au was heavily-supported by punters after it broke the Keeneland track record for a 900m race on debut. It stepped up to the big time on Thursday morning and the U.K public are buzzing about a potential champion in the making.
“It was breathtaking from the top,” Dettori said. “To win a sprint by seven lengths at Royal Ascot, I’ve never seen anything like that – especially from a two-year-old.
“I was throwing some very good splits and when I got to the furlong and a half I asked her to go and she found another gear. I was completely shocked.
“Unbelievable, she’s a lovely filly. Well done to Wesley (Ward, trainer), he’s a master of the sprinters.”
The win gave Ward back-to-back Queen Mary Stakes wins, winning with Acupulco in 2015, and the filly will be set for another run in the coming weeks.
“She’s an amazing filly and she’ll have a big future. I’ve got the Molecomb or the Morny in my mind, but I’ll talk to the owners and see if they agree,” Ward said.
Al Johrah finished in second place for Al Shaqab Racing and its racing adviser, Harry Herbert, was shocked with what he had just witnessed.
“I can’t believe what I’ve just seen; a remarkable performance,” Herbert said. “Al Johrah has run an absolute blinder, but has come across the best two-year-old filly performance I’ve ever seen in my life. We’re delighted with Al Johrah, who has seen off the rest, but we don’t see performances like the winner’s very often.”
It was the seventh Royal Ascot win for Wesley Ward who lines up Red Lodge in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at 11.30pm on Thursday night. Another two-year-old filly, the daughter of Midshipman has had two starts for one win and it looks a winning chance at $7 with Sportsbet.
Frankie Dettori partners the Ed Dunlop-trained Global Applause which has been well backed into $2.87 and will start the favourite.