Lady Of The Desert

Lady Of The Desert put up a sparkling performance to land the Lowther Stakes at York on Thursday. Quickly away and always up in the van under a motionless Martin Dwyer, the daughter of Rahy took it up on the near side fully three furlongs out, her jockey just allowing her use her stride. She was the only filly still on the bridle passing the two and, when her rider asked her to quicken, the response was really impressive and she drew away from her field to post one of the most impressive wins of the meeting. The form of the race looks strong, with Beyond Desire, the Michael Jarvis filly who had won her only previous start and who was well backed, finishing second, and the time was really impressive, just 0.1secs slower than the time that it took Showcasing when he broke the clock winning the Gimcrack over the same course and distance the previous day. The time is even more impressive when you consider that they put 5mm of water on the track overnight, and had some showers on Thursday morning.

The Lowther is often a really good pointer to top class future events. The 2003 winner Carry On Katie followed up by landing the Cheveley Park, 2002 winner Russian Rhythm was second in the Cheveley Park, but won the 1000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes the following season, and 2001 winner Queen’s Logic won the Cheveley Park and the Fred Darling on her only two subsequent starts, while 1997 winner Cape Verdi won the 1000 Guineas the following year and started favourite for the Derby. It is difficult to think of what is going to stop Lady Of The Desert winning the Cheveley Park, all things being equal – perhaps the Criquette Head-Maarek-trained Special Duty, who was only just beaten by Arcano in the Prix Morny on Sunday, if she makes the trip. Nevertheless, they are taking a bit of a chance by leaving Lady Of The Desert at as big as 12/1 for next year’s Guineas.

20th August 2009