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| Staff Writer |
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Clive Cox couldn't help but feel a surge of pride as Get Ahead came incredibly close to achieving her first Group One victory at the Curragh on Sunday. Now, he is anxiously monitoring the weather, as a potential trip to Paris for his promising filly becomes a possibility.
Get Ahead, the daughter of Showcasing, has consistently performed well under Cox's guidance at Beechdown Stables. This season, she showcased her talent by winning the Listed Cecil Frail Stakes and narrowly missing out on a victory in a Chantilly Group Two race in her subsequent start.
Her impressive performances continued, including her first venture into Group One territory in the Nunthorpe, where she displayed her potential. However, it was in the Flying Five Stakes, where she was narrowly beaten by Ken Condon's Moss Tucker, that she truly demonstrated her progress.
Despite being an underdog with odds of 22/1, Get Ahead seemed destined to claim a remarkable upset in the big race. Sadly, victory slipped through her hooves in the final moments. Nevertheless, this near-victory only reinforced Cox's belief in her continuous improvement.
Stormy Setback: Overcoming Challenges In An Impressive Run
“It was a fantastic run and I was so proud of her,” he said.
“I was very concerned when the storms blew through just before. But she got into a nice rhythm and finished off really strong and for a moment I thought we had it in the bag before the winner came by us close home, it was a really exciting run.
“She’s a wonderful filly and has just strengthened and continued progressing. We always had belief she would come good at the best level and she put in a top-class performance.
“I’m pleased that she has come home fine from the race and the journey. She does have an entry in the Abbaye. We have always felt she is better on better ground than soft ground, but on Sunday we probably witnessed that good to soft ground is not too bad.
“The Abbaye is a possibility, if it was too soft then that would be out of her bounds, but who knows, with the weather we have been getting recently we hope it might just remain in her favour all being well. We’re in the lap of the gods and it is interesting, but you do get a dry Arc weekend occasionally.”
Cox may consider another exciting opportunity for his talented racehorse, Kerdos, who has impressed everyone involved with his remarkable improvement this season.
“He only ran last weekend, so we are giving Doncaster consideration, but he does have a Listed penalty now,” said Cox.
“He also has an entry in the Abbaye and we have a Group Three at Newbury to consider on Dubai Duty Free day.
“We will just feel our way forwards with him having only run last week, but I was thrilled with how he equipped himself at Beverley and he has come out of the race really well.”
"I feel like he wants to be ridden in a particular way," Schofield said.
"We have seen in his past runs, if you get the tactics wrong he can tend to overdo it a bit so it was nice to have a feel for him in that trial.
"I am looking forward to riding him.
"Hopefully (I can stick with him) because we know he is good enough but was a bit plagued last season.
"He feels like he has come back in great order and John is very happy with him."