Mango Diva

The fillies’ Group 3 race over an extended nine furlongs at Gowran Park on Sunday saw a really nice performance from a hugely progressive filly in Mango Diva, who won in a good time despite being eased down. Always travelling best for a confident Johnny Murtagh, her rider angled her towards the outside early in the home straight, and quickly set about chasing Uleavemebreathless. She drew alongside the leader a furlong out, and she found plenty for pressure when Murtagh asked her to go and win her race.

This was Michael Stoute’s second win in this race in four years after Ave’s win in 2009. That mare went on to win a Grade 1 race in America, and Mango Diva can progress again herself. She was sent off as favourite for the Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot, but she was slowly away that day, and she could never quite get involved from off the pace, and she was not helped by the fact that she had a wall of horses in front of her as she was looking to pick up two furlongs out. However, that form is stronger now than it looked at the time. She has now won her last two races and, excluding the Sandringham, the only two horses who have beaten her are the talented pair Montiridge and Hot Snap.

The daughter of Holy Roman Emperor saw out this near-10-furlong trip really strongly, as she had done on her previous run at Salisbury. She was ultimately well on top at the finish, and she is open to plenty more progression at this trip. Her dam won a listed race over a mile and a quarter on soft ground, and that, together with the manner in which she sees out her races, suggests that Mango Diva could be even better over a mile and a half in time. She is versatile with regards ground, she is still lightly raced and, if she is kept in training, she could develop into a high-class filly next season. In the shorter term, she is worthy of close consideration wherever she goes next, even if she steps up in class again.

22nd September 2013