Scommessa Sicura Breaks Her Maiden in Style on Day One of the July Festival
A July Cup Festival Winner Crowns a Special Day for Opulence at Newmarket
Our promising two-year-old filly Scommessa Sicura finally got off the mark in fine fashion, landing the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket's July Course on Thursday 9th July, the opening day of the prestigious July Cup Festival.
Sent off the second favourite in a competitive field of nine over seven furlongs, Scommessa Sicura had shown plenty of promise without quite getting her head in front on her first three starts, finishing runner-up each time in the face of some smart opposition. Trainer Andrew Balding elected to take the fight to her rivals at Newmarket, and jockey Oisin Murphy was happy to oblige, sending the filly forward from the gates and making virtually all of the running. She travelled strongly throughout and, despite being firmly in the sights of her rivals turning for home, kept finding more when asked, holding on gamely to score by a length from Tall Trees.
It was a hugely satisfying breakthrough given how competitive her form had been in defeat, and one that came in a race that has produced some very successful types in the past, including none other than 1000 Guineas heroin Desert Flower only two years ago.
Speaking after the race, Andrew Balding said simply:
"She's deserved that after a few unlucky defeats."
Opulence Thoroughbreds' racing manager Edward Brown was equally pleased with the manner of victory:
"She's been a tad unlucky but she's run with credit on her first three starts, where she's bumped into some nice horses. When we came here we knew we had the experience, which is why we decided to race prominently with her and she's shown a lot of class today. I think she'll continue to progress and she looks a lovely type."
Timeform Review:
Time: 85.66s Closing Sectional: (3.00f): 34.92s
SCOMMESSA SICURA (IRE) made the most of her experience, not needing to improve to get off the mark at the fourth attempt, without fancy entries, though connections may well be tempted to go in search of black type; raced stand side, led overall, travelled well, shaken up over 1f out, kept on final 1f, pushed out.
The win was made all the more special by the fact that Opulence had a stand at Newmarket for the entire day, with members of the team on hand talking to racegoers about the joys of racehorse ownership and the opportunities available through bloodstock syndication. To be able to share a winner with everyone who stopped by throughout the afternoon made for a truly memorable occasion, and a perfect advertisement for what our syndicate is all about.
Congratulations to all of our owners on a first Newmarket success for Scommessa Sicura, we look forward to seeing where she can take us next!
