My Titania

My Titania put up a nice performance to win the Group 3 C.L. Weld Park Stakes over seven furlongs at The Curragh on Sunday. She is not under the radar, a first Group winner for her sire Sea The Stars, but it is probable that there is plenty more to come. It is also possible that, because the winning margin was narrow, she may not be afforded due credit for this performance.

The John Oxx-trained filly travelled best by far to the two-furlong pole. Even when Declan McDonogh angled out to secure a clear run just over two furlongs out, and it appeared as though he would ask her to kick on, she came right back on the bridle, and her rider waited another half a furlong before asking her to lengthen and go and win her race. She and the runner-up Chicago Girl, who had also travelled well and who has undoubtedly improved from her first three runs, came a long way clear, and they left the highly-regarded Tarfasha in their wake.

It is probable that My Titania was only just doing enough, liker her sire tended to do, and that her superiority was a fair bit greater than the half-length winning margin. Also, the time was very good, the fastest comparative time on a good day’s racing, and two seconds faster than the fillies' maiden, the other race run over seven furlongs on the day.

Interestingly, the last time John Oxx won this race was in 2006, when he won it with Arch Swing, and that filly won the Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on her next run, her debut the following season, before going on to finish second behind Finsceal Beo in the 1000 Guineas. He also won it with the mighty Ridgewood Pearl in 1994.

It is significant that Oxx spoke highly of My Titania afterwards. She could easily be a 1000 Guineas filly, and there is more than enough stamina in her pedigree to suggest she could also stay the Oaks trip. She could be top class next season.

29th September 2013

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