Going up in trip is proving to the liking of Sir Mark Prescott-trained filly.
Almudena's Victory at Nottingham Signals Bright Future for Progressive Filly
In a thrilling display of skill and determination, jockey Luke Morris guided Almudena to a resounding victory in the feature Weatherbys Racing Bank Colwick Cup Handicap at Nottingham on Tuesday. Weighing in near his minimum, Morris ensured that the favorite’s winning streak continued in the two-mile event, a race perfectly suited for Sir Mark Prescott's latest star.
The race unfolded with Almudena positioned towards the rear of the pack in the early stages. As the field made its way up the home straight for the second time, Morris began to unleash the filly’s full potential. With a smooth, steady advance, he guided Almudena to the front, seizing the lead just a furlong from the finish line. Her final surge was nothing short of spectacular, powering home to secure a two-length victory that left spectators and experts alike impressed.
Morris, speaking after the race, highlighted Almudena’s remarkable development, particularly as she has been adjusted to a colder riding style. "She's turned into quite a nice, progressive staying filly," he noted. "Since we've started to ride her a bit colder and hold her up, she's really found her niche. As she's stepped up in trip, she has improved."
Almudena fends off Solent Gateway to secure the Weatherbys Racing Bank Colwick Cup Handicap for Luke Morris and Sir Mark Prescott@Weatherbys_Bank pic.twitter.com/4yRBNMkGB2
— Nottingham Racecourse (@NottsRacecourse) August 13, 2024
The jockey also expressed optimism about Almudena’s future, pointing out that her lineage suggests she will continue to get better with age. "She’s done that a bit better than the bare margin, so hopefully there is improvement to come, and her family is one that gets better with age. I would like to think she will continue to progress."
Morris's dedication to the ride was evident as he discussed the effort it took to meet the required weight for the race. "I'm generally quite busy and luckily I'm busy in the morning and in the afternoon, so I generally keep myself quite fit and quite light," he explained. "Obviously, I had to shed a pound or two this morning, but it has all worked out well in the end."
Elsewhere on the card, the highly anticipated Weatherbys Global Stallions App EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes saw Kalahari Blue, the 5-4 favorite, being edged out by William Haggas' First Instinct. Despite being keen in the early stages, the daughter of Bated Breath, under Tom Marquand, showed a commendable attitude on her racecourse debut, winning by a neck in a tight finish. Assistant trainer Maureen Haggas praised the filly's performance, acknowledging that while she still has much to learn, her potential is undeniable. "She's a sweet filly, and she was really good today. I think she has a bit of growing to do and she's a bit 'bum-high', but she's a homebred and it's just really nice when you breed one that they go and win first time."
Attention now shifts to Thursday, where the Haggas team has high hopes for Economics, their impressive Dante winner, who is set to return to the track. Meanwhile, in the Weatherbys Digital Solutions Maiden Fillies' Stakes, Paul and Oliver Cole’s filly, Pasha, utilized her experience to dominate the field, securing a comfortable two-and-a-quarter-length win under the guidance of Billy Loughnane. Loughnane commented on the race, saying, "The race went smoothly, and I got out quick from a wide gate and tried to use her experience to dictate. She quickened up well and she wasn't actually doing much in front."
In other races, Ivan Furtado’s Star Of St James, the 4-1 joint-favorite, claimed victory in the AJA Novice Flat Amateur Jockeys' Handicap with ease. Tim Easterby’s Valentine Catcher pulled off a narrow win in the Weatherbys Hamilton Handicap, crossing the line a head to the good. The final race of the day, the weatherbysshop.co.uk Handicap, saw Paul Midgley’s Frank The Spark justify his 15-8 favoritism with a convincing win.
