Maria Quiteria pulled them along before the field laid down their challenge approaching the final furlong.

The duelling Vollering, from Archie Watson’s yard, and Victorious, who won on her debut over course and distance last month, took it up as Maria Quiteria faded.

Victorious surged clear and the big danger was coming from the rear of the field as Controlla was catching but Aidan O’Brien’s 10-11 favourite held off the newcomer by a neck.

The winner is bred to be good, being by the late Wootton Bassett out of Heaven On Earth, a sister to Minding and Tuesday.

O’Brien said: “She’s still green but she’s lovely. She’s coming lovely. I’m delighted with that.

“Ryan just said he followed two and they died in front of him at halfway and he got left there. She was a bit green when she was in front but it was good for her. The Albany is the plan for her.”

O’Brien and Moore later doubled up when Mission Central ran out an impressive winner of the Sole Power Sprint Stakes.

Already gelded, the three-year-old is unable to run in the Commonwealth Cup as a result but was halved in price from 20-1 into 10s for the King Charles III Stakes by Paddy Power.

Always in control against the rail, his high head carriage means he is a rare Ballydoyle runner to wear a noseband but it certainly does not slow him down.

The 5-4 favourite was pushed out to beat Gazelle D’Or by a length and a half meaning he has now won five of eight career starts.

“It was a very quick time on that ground,” said O’Brien.

“He’s progressing lovely. The plan was to go to the Kings Stand (King Charles III) with him. That’s still the plan.

“I’m delighted with that. Quick ground would only help him because he’s very fast. He travelled well through the race and, kept going.”

Share.

Comments are closed.