By Tom Frary
It may not have been the most intriguing renewal of the G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' S. to be staged at York on Thursday, but what the race lacked in depth was made up for in a show of ruthless dominance as King Power Racing's Queen Power (Ire) (Shamardal) finally got it together to deliver on her promise. Runner-up last time in Newmarket's nine-furlong G2 Dahlia S. May 2, the 6-4 favourite was not as free early as she can be tracking the leading duo in an already-weak edition diminished further by the withdrawal of Passion (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). Taking over from the long-time leader Chamade (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}) approaching two out, the bay drew away to win by eight lengths in a time faster than the Dante staged later on the card. In doing so, she was providing Sir Michael Stoute with a seventh renewal. Silvestre de Sousa was on board and said, “It was a combination of the ground and the pace of the race. She travelled nicely and I never felt in danger, she settled really well. When I asked her she put the race to bed very quickly and I think 10 furlongs is her trip.”
In the immediate aftermath of her defeat of Lavender's Blue (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) and Star Catcher (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) in Newbury's Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. in May 2019, it would have been a surprise to learn that Queen Power would have to wait two years for another success. Fourth behind Star Catcher when stretched too far in the 12-furlong G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot the following month, she was unable to truly regain her momentum in six subsequent starts despite showing a smart level of form throughout. Second in last year's Dahlia, third in the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot and fourth in the G1 Nassau S. at Goodwood, she was only third dropped in class for the Listed Upavon Fillies' S. over this trip at Salisbury in August and was not seen again until coming off second-best to Lady Bowthorpe (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) in the latest renewal of the Dahlia. While this was handed to her on a plate, she went through the line with a vengeance and it could be that the resulting boost to her confidence could see her tackle the highest level again with a different outlook.
Stoute excels with older horses and his assistant trainer James Savage was hoping Queen Power goes on to add another chapter to the master of Freemason Lodge's saga. “Today everything went right for her, she relaxed and got into a lovely rhythm early doors which meant everything went very smooth,” he said. “We thought she was going to be a really nice filly two years ago and she's always threatened to do something like that, so it's great to see her do it. She's going to make a fantastic broodmare so that is in the back of our minds, but we'll try to improve on this.”
The dam Princess Serena (Unbridled's Song) boasts two other significant performers in the triple group-winning sire Puissance de Lune (Ire), who was also placed in two renewals of the G1 Turnbull S. and G1 Makybe Diva S. apiece, and the G1 Prix d'Ispahan hero Zabeel Prince (Ire) by Shamardal's son Lope de Vega (Ire). Princess Serena, who also produced the dual stakes-placed Majesty (Ire) also by Shamardal, is the second dam of the G1 Coronation S. and G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and the G2 Balanchine and G3 Princess Elizabeth S. scorer Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}). She is a half to the GII American Turf S. scorer Doubles Partner (Rock Hard Ten), while their respective dam Serena's Sister (Rahy) is a full-sibling of the champion Serena's Song (Rahy) who produced the G1 Coronation S. heroine Sophisticat (Storm Cat) and her GII Oaklawn H.-winning full-brother Grand Reward. Princess Serena's as-yet unraced 3-year-old filly by Gleneagles (Ire) is named Serena's Symphony (Ire), while her 2-year-old colt Teumessias Fox (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) was a 230,000gns purchase by SackvilleDonald at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1.
Thursday, York, Britain
AL BASTI EQUIWORLD DUBAI MIDDLETON FILLIES' S.-G2, £100,000, York, 5-13, 4yo/up, f/m, 10f 56yT, 2:09.89, gd.
1–QUEEN POWER (IRE), 126, m, 5, by Shamardal
1st Dam: Princess Serena, by Unbridled's Song
2nd Dam: Serena's Sister, by Rahy
3rd Dam: Imagining, by Northfields
1ST GROUP WIN. (500,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Roundhill Stud (IRE); T-Sir Michael Stoute; J-Silvestre de Sousa. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 11-3-3-2, $240,189. *Full to Puissance de Lune (Ire), MGSW & MG1SP-Aus, $877,536; Majesty (Ire), MSP-Aus, $205,736; and 1/2 to Zabeel Prince (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), G1SW-Fr & GSW-Eng, $315,377. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Chamade (GB), 126, f, 4, Sepoy (Aus)–Colima (Ire), by Authorized (Ire). O/B-Mr & Mrs David Aykroyd (GB); T-Ralph Beckett. £21,500.
3–Cabaletta (GB), 126, f, 4, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Allegretto (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). O-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Roger Varian. £10,760.
Margins: 8, 4 1/4, 4 3/4. Odds: 1.50, 5.50, 6.00.
Also Ran: Silence Please (Ire), Freyja (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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