By Tom Frary
Saif Ali's unbeaten Main Edition (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) entered the G3 Albany S. in the shadow of two imposing TDN Rising Stars from Ballydoyle, but ultimately she proved best in a quality renewal which is sure to have an impact on next year's Classics. Off the mark by 3 3/4 lengths on ground similar to this at Windsor May 21 before deying a penalty by 3 1/4 lengths on a soft surface in a Goodwood novice stakes June 1, the 7-1 shot was forced to race away from the early pace set by the Wesley Ward-trained Stillwater Cove (Quality Road) who blazed the trail far side. Pulling the centre-group along throughout under James Doyle, she stayed on gamely to hold Godolphin's determined La Pelosa (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) by a neck at the line, with the far-side “winner” Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) a half length away for Aidan O'Brien and her stablemate and 2-1 favourite Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}) only 14th. “It wasn't easy for her from our draw, but I went straight up where the [Royal] carriage went earlier,” Doyle explained. “That's where I found myself and the pressure going onto the ground meant it must be slightly quicker, but that's all I had as I was doing it all on my own. I had such a willing partner and she's so brave.” Trainer Mark Johnston was recording a 43rd victory at Royal Ascot and added, “I knew she was pretty useful and we think our 2-year-old fillies are very strong. She is one of the leading bunch, which says a lot for all the others. We'll take one step at a time, we are only in June and obviously we'll think about the Cheveley Park at the end of the year, but there will be other races before then.”
Godolphin's La Pelosa covered herself in glory in second and trainer Charlie Appleby commented, “The winner had run twice, so had a bit more experience than our filly but as William [Buick] just said we have had a peach of a run. A furlong down I thought we were going to pick the winner up because James [Doyle] had gone for his filly. I'm pleased because she's going to be a fun filly for the summer and I'm sure that stepping up in trip is going to be our next step forward. I would not imagine the Cherry Hinton [G2 Duchess of Cambridge S. at Newmarket July 13] would be for her–we will see some of those Queen Mary types stepping up for that–and La Pelosa is a nice scopey filly who looks like she will handle further. She has substance and a great head on her.”
Main Edition's dam Maine Lobster (Woodman) unfortunately died after producing her, having also been responsible for the G2 Sandown Mile winner and G1 Sussex S. and G1 Prix Jacques le Marois-placed sire Major Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), as well as Beachfire (GB) (Indian Haven {GB}) who took this meeting's Listed Wolferton H. The second dam, the GI Selima S. winner Capades (Overskate), is a stakes-placed half-sister to Capades Dancer (Gate Dancer) who produced the MGSW and GISP sire Vangelis (Highest Honor {Fr}).
Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
ALBANY S.-G3, £90,000, Ascot, 6-22, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:13.67, g/f.
1–MAIN EDITION (IRE), 126, f, 2, by Zoffany (Ire)
1st Dam: Maine Lobster, by Woodman
2nd Dam: Capades, by Overskate
3rd Dam: Medal of Valor, by Damascus
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (62,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Saif Ali; B-Minch Bloodstock (IRE); T-Mark Johnston; J-James Doyle. £51,039. Lifetime Record: 3-3-0-0, $82,661. *1/2 to Major Cadeaux (GB) (Cadeaux Genereux {GB}), MGSW & G1SP-Eng, G1SP-Fr & GSP-Ire, $541,713; and Beachfire (GB) (Indian Haven {GB}), SW-Eng, $146,581. Werk Nick Rating: C+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–La Pelosa (Ire), 126, f, 2, Dandy Man (Ire)–Lauren's Girl (Ire), by Bushranger (Ire). (€52,000 Wlg '16 GOFNOV; €40,000 RNA Ylg '17 GOFOR; 280,000gns 2yo '18 TATBRE). O-Godolphin; B-Elton Lodge Stud (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £19,350.
3–Fairyland (Ire), 126, f, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Queenofthefairies (GB), by Pivotal (GB). (925,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-Evie Stockwell, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £9,684.
Margins: NK, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 7.00, 12.00, 2.50.
Also Ran: Angel's Hideaway (Ire), Pretty Pollyanna (GB), Byron Bay (Fr), Chicas Amigas (Ire), Satisfying (Ire), Nakakande (Ire), Cotubanama (GB), Octave (Ire), Reponse Exacte (Fr), Stillwater Cove, Just Wonderful, Jensue (Ire), Hawayel (Ire), Merry Go Round (Fr), No More Regrets (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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