By Sean Cronin
Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's G2 Queen Mary S. runner-up Relief Rally (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}–Kathoe {Ire}, by Fayruz {GB}) impressed when annexing Newbury's Weatherbys Super Sprint by daylight last month and pounced late to secure a fourth win in five starts, upped to six furlongs for the first time, in Thursday's G2 Sky Bet Lowther S. at York.
The 2-1 favourite, who had earlier snagged early-season wins over five furlongs at Windsor and Salisbury, was sharply into stride and settled under cover behind the leaders in fifth after the initial strides. Bustled along with a quarter-mile remaining, she was angled to the stands' side for a clear passage passing the furlong pole and quickened smartly under continued rousting in the closing stages to deny Cherry Blossom (Ire) (No Nay Never) by a length nearing the line. Symbology (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) finished a head adrift in third in a bunch finish for the minor placings.
“You don't get much time in a six-furlong race to worry, but I thought she had a bit to do and was really impressed with the way she picked up,” admitted William Haggas. “I think she's a pure 2-year-old. I've had a few fillies, one called Besharah won this race, and she didn't go on. I think it's really hard, especially when they are small. We don't want to get wrapped up in them being a fantastic 3-year-old and this may well be her year, in which case we want to capitalise. She's pretty good and she's good in her head, although she dances a bit in the paddock. She's easy to train. I haven't had chance to talk to Tom [Marquand], as this is [owner] Simon [Munir]'s day. It's his first ever trip to York.”
Looking over the horizon, Haggas added, “Whether we have one [more run] before her last run [this year], I don't know. If we do, it will be the [G2] Flying Childers with a Group 2 penalty, but that's 50-50. Then it will be the [G1] Cheveley Park or the [G1] Prix de l'Abbaye.”
Marquand added, “We hoped stepping up to six [furlongs] would work in her favour and I was looking forward to it. Over five, she'd hit a little flat spot before finishing really strongly and, over six, that just didn't happen today. She had plenty to pass a furlong out, but they were all within a length. To be honest she never had me worried and she hit the line hard. William has done a remarkable job to get her to win the pot she did after Royal Ascot. I hope it's the Cheveley Park [next]. If she goes for the Abbaye I won't be able to ride her [due to her low weight], but William will make the right decision.”
Pedigree Notes
Relief Rally, the latest of eight reported foals and one of five scorers for her dam, hails from the family of G1 Irish 2000 Guineas-winning sire Jaazeiro (Sham) and G1SW Irish champion Woodstream (Northern Dancer). The April-foaled bay is a full-sister to G3 Chipchase S. victor Koropick (Ire). Their second dam Water Spirit (Riverman) is an unraced half-sister to Listed Grand Prix de Marseille Vivaux runner-up Private Enquiry (Ire) (Gorytus) and G2 Gallinule S. fourth and sire Northern Date (Far North).
What a tough, tenacious and talented little filly! 💪
Relief Rally (2/1 fav) relishes the extra furlong of the @SkyBet Lowther Stakes at @yorkracecourse under @TomMarquand for William Haggas @simon_munir & Isaac Souede. pic.twitter.com/DVj58p1dgP
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 24, 2023
Thursday, York, Britain
SKY BET LOWTHER S.-G2, £267,500, York, 8-24, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:10.89, g/f.
1–RELIEF RALLY (IRE), 128, f, 2, by Kodiac (GB)
1st Dam: Kathoe (Ire), by Fayruz (GB)
2nd Dam: Water Spirit, by Riverman
3rd Dam: Interviewme, by Olden Times
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (58,000gns Ylg '22 TATSOM). O-Simon Munir & Isaac Souede; B-C M Farrell (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £151,699. Lifetime Record: 5-4-1-0, $398,425. *Full to Koropick (Ire), GSW-Eng, $104,612. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Cherry Blossom (Ire), 128, f, 2, No Nay Never–Canada Water (GB), by Dansili (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€360,000 Ylg '22 GOFOR). O-Westerberg, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor & D Smith; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £57,513.
3–Symbology (GB), 128, f, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Showstoppa (GB), by Showcasing (GB). (£230,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Isa Salman Al Khalifa; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Clive Cox. £28,783.
Margins: 1, HD, HD. Odds: 2.00, 4.00, 14.00.
Also Ran: Dorothy Lawrence (GB), Beautiful Diamond (GB), Star Of Mystery (GB), Gunzburg (Ire), Flora Of Bermuda (Ire). Scratched: Queen's Guard (GB).
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