Last year’s Cesarewitch winner, Sweet Selection, took another step forward on her seasonal comeback by running out a ready winner of the Group 3 Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot on Wednesday.
The daughter of Stimulation was one of two runners in the two mile contest for East Ilsley handler Hughie Morrison, who won the race back in 2005 with Alcazar.
Nearly Caught, his other runner, led the seven-strong field along in the early stages, his opponents including September’s St Leger hero Harbour Law.
Sweet Selection tracked her stable mate off a sedate pace in the hands of Silvestre De Sousa, who had ridden the first two winners on the card.
As the pace began to wind up on the turn for home, the first two kicked on.
Sweet Selection managed to gain the upper hand over a furlong out and kept on well to land the prize by just over a length from the running on Prince of Arran.
The mare improved some 34lbs last year, taking four of her seven starts. Her last outing saw her deliver a resounding success in the 33-runner Cesarewitch Handicap over the extended two mile trip.
“Nearly Caught would leave Sweet Selection a furlong behind on the gallops not because he’s a fantastic worker but because she’s an extremely moderate worker,” said Morrison.
“She’s never exactly shown off. It was a brave decision to keep her in training and from today’s performance she’s improved yet again which is surprising.
“Ryan Moore said when she won at Newbury last year this will win a Doncaster Cup.”
Her next target looks to be the Ascot Gold Cup over four furlongs further in June where she is a general 20/1 chance.
She’s improved yet again which is surprising
Later in the afternoon, the Charlie Appleby-trained Blue Point proved too classy in a warm renewal of the Group 3 Pavilion Stakes.
Beaten less than two lengths by Churchill in the Dewhurst last term, the son of Shamardal was positioned just off the leaders through much of the race under William Buick.
He picked up nicely in the final furlong to win by a comfortable length and a half from the Clive Cox-trained Harry Angel.