Day in the sun for Cecil filly
Henry Cecil’s Midday recorded the fourth Group One win of her career in a dramatic Darley Yorkshire Oaks at York – with old rival Sariska refusing to race.
While the latter entered the stalls without turning a hair, as soon as the gates opened she stood still under Jamie Spencer and her race was over before it began.
Midday (11-4), who won her second Nassau Stakes on her latest start, travelled strongly throughout under Tom Queally and cruised to the front two furlongs from home.
This year’s dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy tracked her to the furlong marker and tried to reel her in, but Midday had too many guns and passed the post three lengths ahead.
Queally said: ``It's fair to say she's getting better as she gets older. They went a good pace and I was sort of waiting for Sariska to come.
“She settled very well and got the trip very well, if anything I got there going a bit too well.
“She’s one hell of a filly and she’s very special to me.
“I wasn’t aware Sariska was still in the stalls, I was keeping her up to her game as I thought she might be coming hard at the end.”
Queally continued: "She was only going at half-speed early on. I knew I had the rest beat, but I went to the front a bit early.
“I needed a lead for another furlong and a half really, but she oozes class and ability and keeps getting better.”
Cecil added: “That was a great performance. She was always going so well and she went and won the race, but then thought she’d done enough.
“She thought she was alone in front but found more. It was a real pity Sariska didn’t race, but the second is a very good filly.
“I would say that’s as good as she’s ever been and it was her best ever run.
“It’s a bit of a consolation for the Prince (Khalid Abdullah, owner) with Twice Over getting beaten on Tuesday and it’s his decision where she runs next.
“There’s the Prix Vermeille, the Prix de l’Opera or the Breeders’ Cup. I wouldn’t have thought it would be the Arc.
“We’re not trying to prove we’re the best in the world, rather just the best filly.
“I knew today she was better than at Goodwood and time will tell if she can improve even further.”
Sariska's trainer Michael Bell said: "Obviously it's disappointing and I'll have to talk to the owners about a plan, but if she's going to run again it has to be abroad and she's in the Prix Vermeille and other races.
“She was in the stalls for a long time and she is a little quirky, but not to that extent.
“The filly’s fine and as Jamie Spencer said, nobody’s died.”
Ed Dunlop, trainer of the runner-up, added: “I’m delighted. I thought for a moment she might do something, but then Midday has quickened again and she’s an exceptional filly.
“We’ll take her home and see how she is, but I’ve not ruled out the St Leger yet.”
Sir Michael Stoute’s Eleanora Duse finished third and Peter Reynolds, racing manager for owners Ballymacoll Stud, said: “I’m absolutely thrilled as the objective was to get her placed in a Group One and it’s paid off.”
