Midday wins Yorkshire Oaks
Midday won the Yorkshire Oaks at the Ebor festival in York on the 19th of August. However, Midday's arch rival Sariska, lead by trainer Michael Bell, could not take part in the race. As a result, Midday had a walk in the part due to any significant competition.
Under jockey Tom Queally, Midday took over the field at the Nassau Stakes. She took a lead of two furlongs and then crossed the finish line with a lead of three lengths ahead of the second horse.
Snow Fairy was the second to finish the race who has already won two Oaks. Meanwhile, Eleanore Duse, who is trained by Sir Michael Stoute, finished at the third spot.
Sariska had 9-4 odds to win the race but could not participate at the Ebor festival under jockey Jamie Spencer.
Queally, who won the race, was ecstatic while talking to the media. The winning jockey opined that he was pleased with Midday’s performance as he observed that the colt was consistently improving her speed. Queally further said that he was anticipating Sariska to be a part of the competition. The jockey added that he did not know that Sariska was still in the stalls and that he was waiting for her to show up for the meet since she would have given him and Midday a hard time in the competition. Moreover, he said that Sariska did very well during the tournament and that the race horse is absolutely outstanding and special to him.
Cecil was more than happy and seemed pretty much impressed with the way Midday over took the field with a brilliant performance. He told correspondents that the filly’s performance was great. Cecil added that she was a good runner and she has given a couple of good performances. The trainer further claimed that he and the jockey really missed Sariska on the field; but he added that the filly that finished second in this particular event was a very talented horse as well. According to sports analysts, this was Midday’s best performance that they have witnessed so far and the filly ran with an amazing spark.
On the other hand, the way Sariska caused a lot of disappointment to the jockey, trainer Michael Bell and her fans. The Newmarket trainer revealed that although she was a little quirky but this behaviour was completely uncalled for since she has been at the stalls for quite some time now. He said that the filly is completely well and according to jockey Jamie Spencer, it is not a big deal that Sariska refused to run.
At the same time when Sariska’s trainer is upset over her unexpected behaviour, Cecil and Midday’s owner Prince Khalid Abdullah are already deciding where the filly will run in her next race.
Cecil revealed the choices that they are considering for Midday to take part in, which include the Prix Vermeille, the Prix de l’Opera and the Breeder’s Cup. The filly will not be running in all the three races, said Cecil, and that he did not know if it would be such a difficult decision for them to take. Justifying himself, he said that he is not trying to show the world that they are the best trainer and owner in the world, but they are just trying to prove that they have the best and most talented filly.
Personally, Cecil thinks that it will be a better idea to make Midday a part of the Breeder’s Cup since the total distance measures over a mile and three furlongs.
He also said that Midday has shown significant improvements since her last meet at the Goodwood, while it was too early to say whether the filly will make her performance even better or will it just be consistent with her present racing skills.
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