Kon Tiki
Kon Tiki was impressive in winning the Listed Michael Seely Stakes over a mile at York on Friday. Back in the field early on, just a little worse than mid-division, Jane Chapple-Hyam's filly travelled well behind a good pace. Moved towards the near side by David Egan on the run to the two-furlong marker, she picked up smartly when her rider asked her to, hitting the front at the furlong marker and going over a length clear. She was closed down close home by Bermuda Longtail who raced towards the far side, she only had a half a length in hand at the winning line, but she left the impression that she was winning with a fair bit more than that in hand. There was a headwind, and she was probably getting a little lonely in front on her own towards the near side.
This was the Night Of Thunder filly's third run, and it was her third win. She kept on well in a novice stakes at Kempton in April to get the better of Life Is Beautiful, and that filly enhanced the form when she split Falakeyah and Saturday's listed race winner Qilin Queen in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket next time. This was another step forward from that, and she could move on again from this. She is out of a mare who progressed through her three-year-old season, finishing second in the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes and winning the Group 3 March Stakes, and it wouldn't be surprising if Kon Tiki continued her progression. This was her first run on turf. She is worth a try over 10 furlongs at some stage, but she showed so much pace here, she obviously has a potent turn of foot, that a mile could be her optimum trip, at least for now. Her trainer said afterwards that she could go to France now, to Chantilly for the Group 2 Prix Sandringham, but she will be of interest wherever she goes next. She is an exciting filly.
York, 16th May 2025
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