The Queen has an extra reason to look forward to Royal Ascot this year after Momentary carried her silks to a shock victory in the Swettenham Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury.
The Michael Bell-trained filly had finished a creditable fourth a month ago but was sent off at 33-1 in a field that included 1000 Guineas runner-up Starscope and last year’s Fillies’ Mile third Firdaws.
Jockey Hayley Turner could be spotted travelling easily halfway up the home straight and Momentary picked up well to beat Shirocco Star by a short head.
Hot favourite Starscope was not disgraced in finishing third, but Firdaws, third in last year’s Fillies’ Mile, never threatened to land a blow and was disappointing on this seasonal return.
Momentary does not hold an entry in next month’s Oaks at Epsom and she will instead be aimed towards the Ribblesdale Stakes at the Royal meeting.
“I was hoping she’d run well as she’d been working like our best filly at home, but I wasn’t sure how good that was,” Bell said.
“It’s a nice surprise she’s won as it looked a good race on paper but I was hoping she’d give a good account of herself.
“It’s nice to win any Listed race but it’s obviously particularly satisfying to win for Her Majesty.
“This filly isn’t entered in the Oaks and the plan is to go to the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
“It will be nice for Her Majesty to go to Royal Ascot with a horse who hopefully has a good chance.”
