Lake Victoria maintained her flawless record with a dazzling triumph in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.
Aidan O’Brien’s Frankel filly, who was dropping back to six furlongs after winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes over seven earlier this month, was the 6-4 favourite for the Group One, and was ridden masterfully by Ryan Moore to lead the pack of runners on the inner rail in the opening stages.
The two groups combined halfway through the race and with two furlongs left to travel, Lake Victoria was clearly faring best of all.
Once Moore pressed the button, she strode into a clear lead in the final furlong and went on to prevail comfortably by three lengths from Daylight, with the previously unbeaten Babouche a disappointing fourth.
The winner is now 9-4 favourite (from 3-1) for the Fillies’ Mile with Paddy Power, should she run again this year. She is 7-4 favourite for next year’s 1000 Guineas with the same firm.
O’Brien said: “She quickened very well. For a Frankel filly, she was very impressive over six furlongs.
“We always had this race in mind and before she won the Moyglare, the plan was to come back here, she’s always worked very quick.
“We wouldn’t normally do it that way round but we had it in our head before the Moyglare we were coming here. She’s obviously very quick.
“We wouldn’t be afraid of stepping up to a mile, that is what Ryan said. To come back here for the Fillies’ Mile, that’s what Ryan said. We’ll see what the lads want to do.
“We’ve got some good fillies this year, it’s unusual really. It’s very rare to do what she has done, and look more impressive. It was uncomplicated, she wasn’t dropped in, he gave her a lovely ride.
“She was very impressive when she won the Sweet Solera and Sean (Levey) was very impressed with her that day.
“She was always very classy, even when she ran first time. We’ll let her tell us if she’s going to run again. We did back her up quick, though, and it is a risk doing that.
“We have Dreamy in the Fillies’ Mile too, and it’s possible that she will run.”
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