A promising debut second over this trip at Lingfield June 9, La Rioja was an impressive five-length winner at the same distance in a Newbury maiden July 2. Tracking the leading duo Thursday over the rain-softened ground, the bay only needed a gap to appear approaching the quarter pole and was squeezed between the long-time leader Thatsallimsaying (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and the disappointing favorite Mayfair Lady (GB) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) soon after. Left in front approaching the furlong marker, she drew clear under hand and heels to potentially book a ticket to bigger things. “She was something else and she really loved that ground,” trainer Henry Candy said. “I would not want to race her on hard ground and she'll only get six furlongs and not a yard beyond it. Something like the [Sept. 19] G3 Firth of Clyde S. at Ayr would look tailor-made for her. I suppose if she won that on the bridle, it would be tempting to supplement her for the G1 Cheveley Park S. [at Newmarket Sept. 26].” Jockey Andrea Atzeni added, “She was impressive and obviously liked the ground–she has plenty of speed and is definitely going the right way. We always thought she wanted a bit of cut in the ground and she quickened well on that today.”
Thursday, Salisbury, Britain
COUNTRY GENTLEMEN'S ASSOCIATION DICK POOLE FILLIES' S.-G3, £43,000, SAL, 9-3, 2yo, f, 6fT, 1:17.14, sf.
1–#@LA RIOJA (GB), 126, f, 2, by Hellvelyn (GB)
1st Dam: Talampaya, by Elusive Quality
2nd Dam: Argentina, by Storm Cat
3rd Dam: Gold Sunrise, by Forty Niner
(27,000gns Wlg '13 TATFOA; 50,000gns Ylg '14 TAOCT). O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-Alvediston Stud (GB); T-Henry Candy; J-Andrea Atzeni. £24,385. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $46,214. *1/2 to Lilbourne Lass (GB) (Pastoral Pursuits {GB}), SP-Eng, $105,530. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Whatdoiwantthatfor (Ire), 126, f, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Penicuik (GB), by Hernando (Fr). (17,000gns Ylg '14 TAOCT; £50,000 2yo '15 DONBRE). O-Potensis Bloodstock Ltd; B-John Cullinan (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £9,245.
3–Unilit (Ire), 126, f, 2, Approve (Ire)–Riymaisa (Ire), by Traditionally. (€10,000 Ylg '14 GOFFEB; £20,000 Ylg '14 DNPRM). O-Insignia Racing (Heritage); B-Ballybrennan Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Mick Channon. £4,627.
Margins: 4HF, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 4.50, 2.75, 16.00.
Also Ran: Mayfair Lady (GB), Bahaarah (Ire), Pity Cash (Ire), Thatsallimsaying (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the brisnet.com PPs. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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