Godolphin and Frankie Dettori enjoyed a second consecutive hard-fought success in the Shadwell Fillies’ Mile as Lyric Of Light followed the example of White Moonstone 12 months ago.
The Group One race, run at Newmarket for the first time since being transferred from Ascot, invariably produces a leading contender for next year’s 1000 Guineas at the same course, even if no filly since Bosra Sham in 1996 has managed to complete the double.
But while White Moonstone has not raced again, Sheikh Mohammed’s team still collected the Classic with the hardy Blue Bunting, emphasising the fragile and ever-changing nature of the sport.
Lyric Of Light’s stablemate Discourse had originally been pencilled in for this race until suffering a setback, but her replacement, a late supplement for STG15,000 ($A23,715), had worthy credentials of her own.
Unbeaten in two starts, firstly in a maiden on the July course, she then bravely held off the reopposing Fallen For You in the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster two weeks earlier.
White Moonstone was made to dig deep by Together in this race, while Lyric Of Light’s opponent came in the shape of the Mick Channon-trained Samitar.
Jamie Spencer and Samitar had stolen a healthy advantage with two furlongs (400m) remaining, when Dettori was still at the back of the field, but the 2-1 favourite managed to overcome the unseasonably quick ground to poke her head in front almost on the line.
“She’s a superstar of a filly and only does what she has to do,” Dettori, taking the prize for a sixth time, said.
“I don’t think the track would have suited her, on firm ground, she’s such a tall filly. She’s done well to win.
“When I asked her a question going down into the dip she got very unbalanced so it took me a lot longer to get Jamie than I expected. Once I met the rising ground I passed him and was fine.
“She’s very genuine but the ground is a bit fast for a young filly.”
Like Discourse, Lyric Of Light is trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, who has enjoyed a much better season than White Moonstone’s handler Saeed bin Suroor.
PA AAP TURF
