Flora Of Bermuda successfully stepped up to seven furlongs for the first time as she gamely landed the Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes.
The Dark Angel mare was keen under James Doyle and carried a penalty, but was delivered with aplomb late on. She took her record in Group 3 races to 4111, but this trip could now open other avenues.
Speaking to the Press Association after the race, via Sporting Life, Andrew Balding said: “We have been thinking about seven furlongs for a bit. It just seemed an obvious race to try it in. She has been very consistent at a high level throughout her career, she is a fantastic filly. She has done very well physically this year and is happier now she is going into the stalls late.
“That is her flaw, if she has one; she is just not very patient. She will go straight into the stalls, but she will not stand there for more than 30 seconds. And poor old James got a perforation of his eardrums riding her at Ascot. It was a disaster, but apart from that, she is three from three this year when not fluffing her starts.”
James Doyle was pleased with the effort, and suggested softer going would see her in a better light. “I think she is versatile. There are some races at six and a half furlongs, and she goes on a bit of give as well. Arguably, she is even better on slightly slower ground, so she has a whole host of options.”
‘Karl was very bullish’ – James Doyle
Wild Blossom kicked off the day for Wathnan in good style as she landed the Alice Keppel Fillies;’ Conditions Stakes. The Mehmas daughter failed to back up her scintillating debut when tenth in the Queen Mary. Nevertheless, she confirmed the earlier promise as she beat Fast Track with relative ease.
Karl Burke told the Press Association, via Sporting Life: “Wild Blossom worked with a very good older filly recently and worked very nicely. There is a slight concern when they do it so well first time on slow ground. Then she ran very well at Ascot, but the draw completely screwed her. Her work has been very good since. Although there was a slight doubt in my mind about the ground today. However, she went a very quick time there.”
James Doyle echoed Burke’s sentiments, stating: “Wild Blossom was well supported today. I thought she was probably my best ride of the week. Karl was very bullish. We rectified what happened at Ascot.”
Wathnan are well represented for the remainder of the week, with Night Raider flying the flag in the King George Qatar Stakes.