Ortensia to put up a “h**l of a fight” in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot
Trainer Paul Messara is confident about his Australian charge, Ortensia’s chances in the King's Stand Stakes in the Royal Ascot meet at Ascot on 19th
June, 2012.
Ortensia, daughter of Testa Rossa, out of mare Aerate´s Pick, is in the best possible form she can possibly be. She completed a well-deserved hat-trick at Meydan, where her first start of the season was held.
The bay mare raced as a favourite with a 6-5 chance in the Group 1 Burswood-Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot on 19th November, 2011, where she defeated Peter Snowden’s charge, Rarefied, by 1 length, where she was in the capable
hands of rider, Craig A. Williams.
The victory at Meydan was a major boost of confidence for the A.D.N Fraser, Miss A.C.N Fraser and Ms. E.J.H Ridley owned mare, since she trumped in the Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint
Sponsored By Emirates NBD on 31st March, 2012, where she was guided to victory by Craig A. Williams again, this time she defeated, Sole Power, by 1 ¼ lengths.
The trainer commented on her journey from Dubai and spoke of her being in good form as he stated that:
"I'm very happy with how she's settled in. We've had no hiccups with her whatsoever since she arrived five weeks ago."
The trainer stated that the runner-up from Meydan is the biggest threat to his charge, as he will stand between her and the victory.
Along with Sole Power, he is also concerned about Bated Breath, who managed to defeat Sole Power in the Group 2 Betfred.com Temple Stakes at Haydock on 26th May, 2012.
Regarding Sole Power’s recent race, Messara stated to the press that:
"I watched the race at Haydock on Saturday and I thought Sole Power was a bit unlucky, but maybe he's just one of those horses. The winner is obviously equally as good and you'd imagine those two, along with Joy And Fun from Hong Kong, would be the
main dangers to Ortensia.”
Ortensia is also entered in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Ascot but he seems a little doubtful considering he will run against the undefeated, Black Caviar.
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