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| Sumita Pawar |
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Jack Mitchell rode Choisya with confidence as they made a brilliant move from behind to clinch victory in the Coral Fillies' Handicap.
Night Of Thunder's Offspring Dominates
Simon & Ed Crisford's horse smoothly maneuvered her way into the running, skillfully avoiding any disruptions occurring on the inner track. The talented filly, sired by Night Of Thunder, effortlessly accelerated in the final stretch to secure a commanding triumph by three-quarters of a length. Following closely behind were Novus and the Shadwell-owned filly, Rowayeh, taking the second and third positions, respectively.
Ed Crisford said, “I am really pleased with Choisya. She travelled into it so sweetly, picked up nicely and won well.
"It didn't really work out that day [when well beaten in the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot]. She jumped quite quick and was leading the field, but stopped pretty quickly. She bounced back today and, while we were concerned about the ground, she handled it super well.
"Jack [Mitchell] said she travelled really well behind the leaders and was going sweetly in his hands. When he asked the question, she picked up so well in the ground. He said that cantering to post he thought she might not go on the ground and she couldn't get her feet out, but she won really well.
"She has won off 90 today so a little bit of black type could be next if we can find the right race for her. She can go on this ground, which opens a few more doors up in September.
“I think she will stay a mile and a quarter. We were thinking of stepping her up in trip this week, but when you can win over a mile like that, it shows she is versatile. She is in on Saturday [Goodwood Coral Handicap] and I wouldn't rule it out.”
Mitchell said, “It was a lovely run from Choisya. I was drawn wide so switched tactics up a little bit today and dropped in a bit, which seemed to work really nicely.
“We went an even gallop. There was a bit of scrimmaging in front of me and I managed to stay clear of that. She got there quite easily. She is an improving filly, and she’s tough.
“We were not sure about the ground, but she clearly went on it. Hopefully, there is another big day ahead of her.”
He said, “It’s like a victory today. We really thought he was going to beat Paddington, but he had the stands rail and we were in the middle of the track and he was stuck in the middle of traffic.
“He ran a great race, he was third in a Group One the other day and second today in a very nice Group One and I hope the next time we will be able to win at that level.
“With five runners it was best to wait at the back for a late challenge. We were the fourth favourite out of five runners, so we thought if he can just beat one or two home, we would be happy, but we never thought he was going to be able to run that way.
“He keeps improving mentally and physically, so probably the best is yet to come.”