John Gosden’s Izzi Top notches the victory in the Betfred Middleton Stakes at York
Izzi Top lived up to all the hype that was pinned to her for the Group 2 Betfred Middleton Stakes at York on 17th May, 2012.
With a chance of 7-2, the runner used her skill and speed to claim victory in the capable hands of jockey, William Buick.
Trained by John Gosden, the four-year-old filly maintained her composure throughout the track and finished 1 ½ lengths before the Saeed Bin Suroor trained, Sajjhaa, who raced with the odds of 9 to 2.
The third place was secured by I'm A Dreamer, who fell a length behind the runner-up.
Saeed Bin Suroor commented on Sajjhaa’s performance and stated that he wanted her to claim a placed finish, which she managed.
Her next stop might be the Group Three at Epsom or the Windsor Forest at Royal Ascot.
Izzi Top, the daughter of Pivotal, out of mare Zee Zee Top, completed her hat-trick with this win.
She seems to be in extremely good shape as she also downed a victory at Newmarket on 6th May, 2012, in the Group 3 Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes, where she defeated, Captivator, by 1 ¼ lengths and emerged triumphant.
Delighted with her success, the winning trainer commented that:
"She's a really lovely filly. She won on this day last year, beating the Oaks winner (Dancing Rain) a head (in the Swettenham at Newbury). We obviously went on to finish third in the Oaks and I think she has improved quite a lot from three to four.”
With this victory, a number of options have opened up for this young runner.
According to Gosden, she might compete in the Nassau and the Prix de l'Opera. Ascot is not an option for this filly yet, as the trainer senses that is not the right thing to do.
Reflecting on the race, William Buick spoke to the saying:
“The horses have been running well all year. We've got a nice bunch of horses. I love this filly, she's top-class. She tries her hardest and what she really needs now is a Group One. She really deserves it (and) that would be the obvious next step
up.”
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