Olivia Maralda books Royal Ascot ticket with Epsom victory

By Sports Desk June 02, 2023

Olivia Maralda hit the target with a neat success in the Nyetimber Surrey Stakes at Epsom.

The filly, who is trained by Roger Varian and part-owned by footballer Philippe Coutinho with Amo Racing, was last seen finishing seventh in the 1000 Guineas and was a 3-1 chance dropped in grade and trip.

Those factors seemed to suit her perfectly and she provided jockey Kevin Stott with double on the day as she sauntered to a two-and-a-quarter-length win over 7-4 favourite Holguin.

“She was good, she ran well in the Guineas. She loved the fast ground and seven is probably her trip,” said Varian

“I thought they would go quick and I actually didn’t think they went very quick, there was a few keen in behind. But we know she has a good turn of foot and I quite like that slightly outer draw round this track to get a clear run.

“I think bar the second race the winners have been coming from just off the pace so it was always the plan to give her a chance early and let her class come through.

“She’s very balanced and we always thought she would be comfortable on the track.

“I would like to continue the Jersey (Stakes). Seven is her trip, fast pace and if we get fast ground she could be a danger.”

Bobsleigh flew to an impressive success in the British EBF 40th Anniversary Woodcote Stakes.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s two-year-old came into the race with quite a taking Brighton maiden win to his name and was a 5-1 chance in this 12-runner affair.

He did not feature prominently in the early stages and was patiently ridden by an ice-cool Charlie Bishop until the final bend, when he was manoeuvred around the field to challenge.

Having taken a wide line he battled past each of his rivals, including the 9-4 favourite Haatem, who missed the break completely and did extremely well to finish third, and long-time leader and eventual runner-up Balon d’Or.

Johnson Houghton said: “I think we’ve got a Royal Ascot two-year-old on our hands, he’s pretty exciting and it went exactly as we planned.

“We thought they’d go really fast, so I said to Charlie to get him balanced and wait until he comes to you. I knew he had a good turn of foot, but it was whether he could make up that much ground – I thought he was pretty impressive.

“I don’t know which race at Ascot. He’s got plenty of boot so we could drop back to five and the Coventry over six is obviously going to be the hottest race.

“This syndicate is great, it’s a fantastic day out for them. Anthony Bromley and I did a pretty good job picking him up for not much money (€17,000) and they are having the time of their lives.

“Hopefully we can have a good season as they usually sell them at the end of their first year. He was small when we bought him, but he thrived since he’s been gelded.

“The name comes from the dam, Lady Rosebud. Rosebud was a sledger.”

Bishop added: “Eve does a fantastic job of buying these horses for the syndicate. The team were very bullish, I’ve barely sat on him apart from riding him at Brighton so a lot of credit goes to everyone at home and the trainer – she doesn’t do a bad job, does she?

“The Windsor Castle is back at five and it is probably a more winnable race than the Coventry Stakes. We will see how he comes out of this and if he improves again and we think it is worth a go at the Coventry then maybe we might go for that, but I would say the Windsor Castle might be more up his street.

“Obviously these connections have had luck in the Windsor Castle before with Chipotle. It would be great to get him to Royal Ascot in one piece and whatever race she decides to run him in I’m sure she won’t be wrong.”

Cadillac cruised to a comfortable win in the Betfred Handicap for Stott and George Boughey.

The five-year-old was a 12-1 chance and eased along the middle of the track to gain momentum on the approach to the line, passing the tiring front runners and prevailing by a length and three quarters.

“I thought he was a bit too far back but he had to ride him for luck as he wasn’t drawn perfectly,” Boughey said.

“He didn’t run well first time out this season when I thought he would as he was back into a handicap for the first time so that was satisfying today.

“He’s a very honest horse but I think left-handed is a big key to him. I’m delighted for the owner as he’s a big supporter of the yard and he’s a fun horse to have. I suppose we’ll have to look at Ascot but that is right-handed.”

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