NEWS
Midday outfinishes Stacelita to score repeat win in Nassau
Posted: Saturday, July 31, 2010 5:17 PM
For video of the Nassau Stakes, click here.
by Patrick Reed
Midday (GB), winner of the 2009 Emirates Airline Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1), held off a strong late challenge from French classic winner Stacelita and overcame a stewards’ inquiry to win the $313,800 Blue Square Nassau Stakes (Eng-G1) at Goodwood for the second consecutive year.
The four-year-old Oasis Dream (GB) filly was reserved by jockey Tom Queally for more than seven furlongs as she tracked in midpack behind pacesetter Barshiba. Queally positioned his mount to the far outside of the seven-horse field entering the straight and, upon his urging, Midday quickened to the front with two furlongs remaining.
Midday briefly opened a two-length lead as Queally angled her to the fence but then lost momentum at the furlong marker and was immediately joined by Stacelita at her left flank for a thrilling final battle.
The 2009 Prix de Diane (Fr-G1) (French Oaks) winner matched strides with Midday nearing the finish line, but Midday responded with another burst of speed to pull ahead and win by 1 ¼ lengths. She completed about 1 ¼ miles in 2:07.25 on turf rated as good to firm.
Antara, winner of the 2010 Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Eng-G3), also reached contention in the final furlong with a strong move along the inside but settled for third, one length behind Stacelita. Rosanara, runner-up in the 2010 Prix de Diane, never threatened in a disappointing last-place finish.
Midday appeared to drift slightly to the left when challenged by Stacelita and jockey Christophe Soumillon, and the stewards considered a possible reversal during the post-race hearing, which was the first inquiry to be televised live in Great Britain. The final placings were unchanged, however, and both Queally and trainer Henry Cecil stated following the race that Midday’s stout response to Stacelita’s challenge indicated that she was back in top form.
“I think it is fair to say that Stacelita went a little bit left to begin with and my filly followed her,” Queally told Racing Post. “Later on, my filly probably did go a little bit to the left again, but I did everything in my power to keep her straight. Right at the line I was almost a length and a half clear, and I won decisively.”
“Midday likes a strong pace but today they went slowly and she had to sprint,” Cecil said. “She thought she had done enough, but when [Stacelita] came to her she went on again, so it was quite a good performance. I thought she would come back. She’s very genuine and very tough.”
Midday, favored at 15-to-8, improved her career record to five wins from 13 starts with three Grade 1 or Group 1 wins. A Juddmonte Farms homebred, she is out of the stakes-placed winning Kingmambo mare Midsummer, who is a half sister to eight stakes winners, including multiple Group 1 winner and sire Elmaamul and 1997 Vodafone Epsom Oaks (Eng-G1) winner Reams of Verse.
Patrick Reed is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
READER COMMENTS
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Posted by: Jack, Baltimore, MD on August 04, 2010 at 06:28 PM
This race really shows what a great filly that the 2009 Breeders Cup F&M Turf champion really was. The French filly, Stacelita, came into this year's Blue Square Nassau Stakes with 7 wins in 9 career starts. It really was an oddly run affair. With Midday the first to kick for home. She immediately went about 3 lengths clear of Stacelita. It looked as if Midday may run off completely with the race. When just as suddenly as Midday started rolling for home. She had a total loss of concentration in the race, and began to idol out front. Stacelita immediately pounced on the opportunity. She came flying at Midday, and got to within a half-length of Midday. Then Midday's jockey, Thomas Queally, immediately went to the stick. And Midday immediately picked up speed again, and pulled about 2 to 3 lengths clear of Stacelita at the wire. Midday must be a really special filly. Because Stacelita is a top-shelf filly herself. Obviously, having won 7 of 9 going into the Nassau. Including the 09' Prix de Diane(French Oaks) and the 09' Prix Vermille. Any other filly in the world that pulled a go-stop-go again like Midday pulled with Stacelita. Stacelita would've been off to the races on them. A great ride by Thomas Queally to immediately get his filly's attention, and back focused on the job at hand. The win gives Midday her third Group or Grade 1 victory of her career. Having now won back to back Nassau Stakes, and the 09'Breeders Cup F&M Turf.
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