By Tom Frary
There was a perfect reintroduction for Juddmonte's TDN Rising Star Laurel (GB) (Kingman {GB}–Promising Lead {GB}, by Danehill) in Monday's Listed Snowdrop Fillies' S. at Kempton as the G1 Sun Chariot S. runner-up dominated the mile contest to further enhance her already-significant reputation. Sent off the 8-13 favourite for the John and Thady Gosden stable, the daughter of the G1 Pretty Polly S. heroine Promising Lead was prominent early with Ryan Moore happy to accept a lead. Sent to the front passing the two-furlong pole, the bay drew away with her familiar rapid late splits to register a 3 1/2-length verdict over Lightship (Ire) (Fascinating Rock {Ire}) that had group 1 winner written all over it.
John Gosden was happy to take in Ryan Moore's invaluable feedback afterwards and said, “Ryan was very happy with her and he likes her a lot. He has given me two options, so I'll be scratching my head but I'm clear with what I'm doing with the first one. The [G2] Duke Of Cambridge [at Royal Ascot] is an obvious target, but talking to Ryan it is what we do between then and now. If it was fast ground at Newmarket [for the May 7 G2 Dahlia Stakes], he was steering me elsewhere which is very good advice. Thady has mentioned a race in Ireland [the G2 Ridgewood Pearl Stakes], so that is a possibility.”
“The filly was incredibly immature and weak as a two-year-old and looked slow, but we haven't rushed her and she has come through and rewarded everyone. Her immaturity probably cost her the Sun Chariot and I think not knowing much about it as well, as she hit the front and wandered about a bit. She is learning all the time. Her mother has not had a lot of luck as a broodmare but this filly has turned it around.”
Promising Lead similarly came to the boil in the autumn of her 3-year-old campaign, finishing second in the G1 Prix de l'Opera before taking the G3 Middleton S. and G1 Pretty Polly S. on her only two starts at four. Her first seven foals, by mainly dirt sires, yielded six winners but none at black-type level although her daughters Surcingle (Empire Maker) and Lupin (Medaglia D'Oro) were in turn responsible for the GIII Berkeley H.-placed Sash (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and G3 Tokinominoru Kinen winner Phantom Thief (Jpn) (Harbinger {GB}) respectively.
A half-sister to the G3 Oak Tree S. and G3 Princess Margaret S. winner Visit (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) who was also placed in the Sun Chariot, the GI Gamely S., GI Yellow Ribbon S., GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf and GI Matriarch S., she is a daughter of the listed-winning Arrive (GB) (Kahyasi {Ire}) who is a full-sister to the great Hasili (Ire).
🚀 Smooth from Laurel
A four-timer for team Gosden today as Sun Chariot runner-up Laurel readily sweeps aside her rivals in the £50,000 Listed Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes on her comeback for Ryan Moore & @Juddmontefarms @kemptonparkrace 😍 pic.twitter.com/HYvgGk6S8X
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 10, 2023
RACING TV SNOWDROP FILLIES S.-Listed, £50,000, Kempton, 4-10, 4yo/up, f, 8f (AWT), 1:39.11, st/sl.
1–LAUREL (GB), 128, f, 4, Kingman (GB)–Promising Lead (GB) (G1SW-Ire, GSW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, $444,880), by Danehill.
1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Juddmonte; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Ryan Moore. £28,355. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Eng, 4-3-1-0, $111,304.
2–Lightship (Ire), 128, f, 4, Fascinating Rock (Ire)–Kayak (GB), by Singspiel (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE. O/B-John O'Connor (IRE); T-Kevin Philippart De Foy. £10,750.
3–Sound Angela (GB), 128, f, 4, Muhaarar (GB)–Instance (GB), by Invincible Spirit (Ire).
1ST BLACK TYPE. (£26,000 2yo '21 GOFTY). O-Mr Yuichi Masuda; B-Mr Charles Fox (GB); T-Roger Varian. £5,380.
Margins: 3HF, 1 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 0.62, 11.00, 3.30.
Also Ran: Life of Dreams (GB), Abhayaa (Ire), Don't Tell Claire (GB), Magnificence (Fr), Tango Tonight (GB), Inishnee (Ire).
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