March 7, 2016Challenge Stakes Triumph for English
March 5 – Newhaven Park flagbearer English was a brilliant winner of the Group II ATC Reisling Stakes on this day last year and went on to finish second in the Golden Slipper to Vancouver.
Sidelined during the spring, she returned form a lengthy spell at Randwick on Saturday in the Group II ATC Challenge Stakes against older sprinters over 1000 metres and her trainer Gai Waterhouse had the daughter of Encosta de Lago primed for business.
She settled at the rear for Tommy Berry and charged late between runners to score a neck win in a brisk 56.57 seconds.
Waterhouse admitted she was concerned that a clear run to the line would not come for the talented filly.
“I don’t know who was more worried, the Kellys (owners) or me,” Waterhouse said.
“We were all standing there, screwing our books up and we were chewing – everything she seemed to do was wrong but she knows where the winning post is.
“She has an unbelievable turn of foot.”
Waterhouse indicated the Group I TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) as the ultimate goal for English, who has now won three of five starts earning $1.1 million.
“Look out for her in the TJ, I won the TJ with a filly called Shamekha and she’s just like her,” she said.
A homebred for Newhaven Park, English is the best of two winners from dual Group II winning Anabaa (USA) mare Court, who was also bred by Newhaven Park as was her dam Splish!
They all descend from the family of outstanding racehorse and sire Grand Lodge (USA).
Court had a filly by champion sire Redoute’s Choice last year.