Kraqueline

Kraqueline did well to finish second in the mares’ bumper that brought the curtain down on Ascot’s card last Saturday. Well backed beforehand, she travelled well through her race, but they didn’t go a great pace, which wasn’t ideal. She raced in third place, up on the outside of a well-bunched-up field, and she moved up into a share of the lead as they rounded the home turn. She got tapped for toe though as they quickened at the top of the home straight, she dropped back to fourth place. But she dug deep inside the final furlong and a half, she stayed on again into second place, and she was past the winner Roc Of Dundee five strides past the winning line.

It was a good performance by Kerry Lee’s mare, who was racing for just the second time in her life, and for the first time since she made her racecourse debut at Warwick in November. The sedate early pace was all against her, and there was a lot to like about the manner in which she kept on again after she had been passed. By Martaline, sire of Dynaste and Diol Ker and Disko and Agrapart, there is plenty of stamina in her pedigree too, and she raced here as if she would appreciate a stiffer test, a step up in trip or a faster pace or both. She will be of interest in another bumper now, and she could be interesting over hurdles next season as she steps up in trip.
Ascot, 19^th February 2022