LAURENTIA won at Lingfield this afternoon on the all-weather in a one mile Classified Stakes, so breaking her duck and giving the Harper Lodge Farm team a welcome win.
The four-year-old daughter of Iffraaj was having her tenth race, just three days after running at Wolverhampton in a 7f Classified Stakes. She was fifth that day but it looked as though the step back up to a mile might suit and so it did.
They went a good pace early on and that definitely suited the filly. She was held up by five pound claimer Sophie Ralston, was switched right two furlongs from home, made headway and switched right again inside the final furlong, made ground to lead inside the last half a furlong to win going away by a length and three-quarters from Emerald Fox.
There’s no doubt the step up in trip helped as did the decent pace. Laurentia, who cost 95,000 guineas as a yearling, was purchased for just 8,000 guineas as an unraced 3yo at the Newmarket February Sales. Her owners, Doolan, Edwards & Hayes were thrilled with her win and congratulations to them from everyone at the stables. This was their first win at the yard and hopefully the first of many!
Linton Doolan, one of the three owners, has had shares in horses for many years including winners, Bow Strada with Peter Harris and Replicator with Pat Eddery Racing. However, this was the first ever winner for Brian Edwards and Matt Hayes and indeed this is Matt’s first ever horse!
Winning jockey, Sophie Ralston said, “I was quietly confident that she would run a big race today but there were risks attached as she had already run earlier in the week but she came out of that race feeling good. She’s a nice filly and a pleasure to ride.”