Katie Scott’s star sprinter Naana’s Shadow is set for another date on the Knavesmire after her dominant display at the Goodwood Festival.
The daughter of Havana Grey was purchased for 20,000 GNS last November following Alice Haynes’ departure from the training ranks. She began life in handicaps off a mark of 72, beaten four lengths at Southwell in April. She bounced back next time out for a two length success at Catterick.
After catching the eye when third at York, she made most of the running to take the three-year-old Dash at Epsom. Following another win at York, a close effort in listed company and her Goodwood triumph, she’s now rated 102.
Speaking to the Press Association via Racing TV, Katie Scott said: “She’s perfect after Goodwood, we stayed down at Goodwood on Thursday night and travelled back on Friday. She’s had a few days off, but there’s not been a bother on her so very good.
“I think Plan A at the minute is the three-year-old handicap at York on the Wednesday of the Ebor Festival. If for some reason we wanted to give her another couple of weeks, there is a Listed race at Cork at the end of the month.
“I think the reason why the York race appeals to me at the minute is it’s her last chance to run against her age group. Before she has to take on older ones
“She did go up 8lb for winning at Goodwood – I think that’s fair. The way she won she deserves that. And because it’s a higher race at York, she isn’t actually going to carry any more weight in it. There’s just the potential that there’s better horses in there. She’s won there and she was third there for us as well.
Katie Scott keen on French targets with Naana’s Shadow
Scott has grand plans for her improving filly provided she continues her progress next time out. Scott said: “The plan after York, there is a Group Three at Longchamp. Then we’d like to take her to the Prix de l’Abbaye to be honest. If it keeps going the way it’s going.
“I just think it’s a sharp five there. She obviously won on the soft at Epsom so she handles any sort of ground.
“It can throw up a different sort of winner at the Abbaye sometimes. It’s been a good hunting ground for the British in the past and it can throw up a skewwhiff winner. A horse not a massive, big yard. So at the minute, that is on the radar.”