Malabar

Malabar put up a really taking performance to win the Group 3 Prestige Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday. Settled out the back through the early stages of the race by Richard Hughes, she made really nice progress down the outside when her rider gave her a little squeeze. Hughes sat up on her again as she got close to Zifena in front, but when he asked his filly to pick up again, the response was really impressive, and she came away to win readily. She only won by a length in the end, but the magnitude of her superiority was much greater than that.

An unlucky second on her racecourse debut on soft ground at Haydock in May, Malabar was pitched by Mick Channon into the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot on just her second run, and she did really well to finish fourth behind the high-class Cursory Glance, despite not having the clearest of runs through the final two furlongs. She was made to work for her maiden victory back at Ascot on her last run before Saturday, when she eventually got on top of the Godolphin filly Mistrusting, appearing to appreciate the step up to seven furlongs, but Saturday's win was another step forward on that.

She should continue to progress now. She goes well on easy ground and on fast ground, and she will be of interest even if she takes up one of the lofty engagements that she holds. It may be that she will run in one of the valuable sales races but, if she does step up in grade now instead, she would be of more interest in the Moyglare Stud Stakes or the Rockfel Stakes over seven furlongs than she would be in the Cheveley Park over six.

23rd August 2014

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