Queen crowned in Cheveley Park
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Roshdu Queen showed her talent and tenacity to defend her unbeaten record in scintillating style at Newmarket with a one length success in the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes.
Taking things up at the head of affairs from the moment the gates opened, Roshdu Queen stuck to the far rail throughout this six furlong affair to record her second successive Group race victory and her first in Group 1 company. Coming under pressure with two furlongs to go, it looks as though it would only be a matter of time before Mark Johnston's Bailey's Jubilee would power past the two year old daughter of Invincible Spirit, only for Roshdu Queen to dig to the very bottom of her reserves to record a battling victory that further enhanced her potential going towards next years' Classic season.
Thrice raced prior to today's race, Roshdu Queen has surprised trainer, William Haggas, with her staying prowess since breaking her maiden at Ripon racecourse in July and continues to thrive with each race. "I didn't think she would stay six furlongs but she looks as though she was going on again in the Lowther" said Haggas, "When you get a two year old filly, you want to win the Lowther and the Cheveley Park and she has done both. Her coat has gone but she can run and she is a tough and genuine filly"
"Who knows if she will stay a mile but we will give the [English 1000] Guineas a shot. I want to enjoy the moment but we will give the 1000 Guineas some serious consideration now".
Johnny Murtagh, recently released from his retainer with The Aga Khan, was winning the race for the second successive year after the victory of Lightening Pearl in 2011. "I was drawn in stall one, so I just stayed on straight. she was on the rail and she wasn't getting any hassle, so she was kind of flowing for the first three or four furlongs" said Murtagh, "When I got to the three-market, I thought that we would take a bit of catching because she has loads left in reserve"
"She is pretty fast but maybe she will mature over Winter. You just don't know and it's a quick mile here, so I think that she deserves her chance in the Guineas. She can always come back in trip if she doesn't stay but the 1000 Guineas is a big race"
Whilst Roshdu Queen defended her unbeaten record, Ed McMahon's Winning Express could only thrive late on in the race to finish second on the wire. Bailey's Jubilee, who threw down a determined challenge to Roshdu Queen entering the final furlong of the race, kept on at the same pace to finish a nose back in third.
The heavily-fancied favourite, Maureen, from the irrepressible stable of Richard Hannon, finished off the board and well beaten in ninth-place.
Photo Courtesy of Emma-Louise Kerwin (Goodtosoft.co.uk)
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