Wild Coco lands IShares Fillies' Stakes at Glorious Goodwood
Trainer Sir Henry Cecil and jockey Tom Queally’s successful run continued at Glorious Goodwood, as Wild Coco earned them their fourth victory of the week on Thursday, August 2nd.
The 6-1 chance took keen hold early on, but held up in the midfield. She chased the leading runners brilliantly, and surpassed them a furlong before the wire. No one could challenge her dominance inside the final furlong and as a result, the 4-year-old secured
an easy 2¾-length success.
The bookies declared Estimate and Hawaafez the 3-1 joint favourites ahead of the race. However, both runners failed to come up with something special, and finished third and fourth respectively on the table.
Wild Coco comfortably seized the top rank, but Jehannedarc had to work really hard in order to get the runner-up spot. In the hands of Antoine Hamelin, the A. De Royer-Dupre-trained held up off the pace in the last quartet. Yet, the four-year-old did not
lose her determination, and improved her work considerably.
She chased the leading trio entering the final furlong, and subsequently switched left to put a lot of pressure on her rivals. The filly stayed on well to snatch the second place in the dying moments of the race.
Despite an impressive effort, she was no threat to the ultimate champion. Luck was on Jehannedarc’s side though, as she beat Estimate by a head’s distance.
Wild Coco’s connections were delighted over her first success at the graded level. Jocelyn de Mowbray, representing winning owners Gestut Rottgen, is quoted on Cecil's website saying:
"She ran badly last time, but Henry has given her plenty of time and he's always rated her. I'm sure she'll go for better races now, but that's up to the trainer."
It was a welcome win for the daughter of Shirocco. Owned by Gestut Rottgen, the filly was awful on her previous two trips last season. Last year’s I-Shares Fillies' Stakes saw her ending up fifth behind Meeznah.
After an embarrassing defeat, she could not raise her game and as a result, suffered a terrible loss at York in August 2011. In the EBF "Selkirk" Galtres Stakes, she finished eighth behind Set To Music.
Tags: