Girl power on show as three-year-old fillies make their mark
Racenews
20 May, 2024
Unbeaten duo Devoted Queen and Diamond Rain both continued exciting starts to their careers with Listed wins in the UK last week, while fellow three-year-old filly Commemorative also enjoyed Black Type success in Australia.
Devoted Queen took another step forward with a decisive victory in the Michael Seely Memorial Stakes at York on Friday. The three-time winner could face a significant rise in class on her next start, with the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot a potential option for the homebred daughter of Kingman.
Diamond Rain also has major targets in mind, with the G1 Irish Oaks on her radar following an impressive display in Newbury’s Fillies’ Trial on Saturday. Successful on her debut at Ascot earlier this month, the Shamardal filly is out of Dancing Rain, who completed an Oaks double of her own at Epsom Downs and Dusseldorf.
Commemorative had twice finished fourth at G3 level this season and the I Am Invincible homebred gained some deserved Listed Black Type with a comfortable win in Saturday’s Denise's Joy Stakes at Scone. Fellow three-year-old Kerguelen made a spectacular introduction on the same day, with the son of Lonhro scoring by nine and a half lengths at Kembla Grange.
Model Maker added to a productive week for the Classic crop with a winning debut in the French provinces on Friday. The Mastercraftsman filly is out of Modern Ideals, making her a half-sister to multiple G1 winners Modern Games and Mawj.
Godolphin’s two-year-olds have started to hit their stride in the UK, with Mountain Breeze, a close relative of Pinatubo, booking her Royal Ascot ticket with an impressive win under a penalty at Newmarket on Saturday. Ancient Truth scored at the same course the following day, and the G2 Superlative Stakes could be a long-term target for the Dubawi colt.
Globe-trotting star Rebel’s Romance has already arrived in Hong Kong in preparation for this weekend’s G1 Champions & Chater Cup. The six-year-old has already raced in six different countries and will be hoping to post a fifth top-level victory on Sunday.
