Harlequeen

Harlequeen put up a good performance to finish second behind Linguistic in the Tattersalls Millions Three-Year-Old Trophy at Newmarket on Thursday.

Mick Channon’s filly was a little keener than ideal through the early stages of the race behind no more than an ordinary pace that was set by Brave Hero. She didn’t really drop the bridle until they neared the five-furlong pole. She travelled well past the four-furlong pole, but she was further back than ideal on a track and in a race that favoured the prominent racers. Slightly hampered by Simply Me three furlongs out and, switched to the near side, it took her a little while to pick up. She had to race on her own towards the near side, and she didn’t appear to be at ease, trying to make ground as they raced into the Dip. However, around three lengths behind the leader when they met the rising ground, she picked up well from there, bravely going between Biodynamic and the fading Brave Hero, and ran all the way to the line to get to within a length and a half of the winner.

This was Harlequeen’s seasonal debut and it was just her second run ever, so she should improve for it. She stayed on well to win her maiden over a mile on soft ground at Goodwood last September, she obviously has bags of stamina – her dam won over 10 furlongs as a juvenile – and she could improve again for a step up to a mile and a half. She will be of interest now in an Oaks trial, especially if the ground remains on the soft side.

14^th April 2016