3 minute read
Fastnet Rock mare lands Oak Tree Stakes
Dual Group 1-winning mare One Master (6 m Fastnet Rock - Enticing by Pivotal) bounced back to something like her best in the Oak Tree Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) at Glorious Goodwood on Friday.
A dual winner of the Prix de la Foret (Gr 1, 1400m), the William Haggas-trained daughter of Coolmore Stud shuttler Fastnet Rock (Danehill) came into the race having run sixth in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f) and fourth in the Falmouth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m).
However, back at her favourite distance of seven furlongs, the mare showed a blistering turn of foot to beat Valeria Messalina (Holy Roman Emperor) by a short-head. Althiqa (Dark Angel) finished another length away in third.
Haggis admitted that he had major reservations about running the mare today, given she has shown her best form with cut in the ground and was concerned the quick going today would catch her out.
“I was petrified about running her, to be honest – the ground is plenty quick enough for her,” said Haggas.
“There is a very good strip of ground from the seven to the three (furlong marker) which is fresh and a little bit slower, so that is why we ran.
“I told Tom [Marquand] to stay on the inside and not worry about it and if he got out fantastic and if he didn’t at least she wouldn’t have a hard race. Thankfully, she managed to get out in the nick of time.
“I won’t run her on fast ground again – she doesn’t deserve that. She’s been with us a long time and has basically kept her form because we’ve looked after her.
“This was a lower grade of race than she’s been running in previously and she proved today she’s a top-class filly, especially over seven furlongs. If she can get a bit of rain she’s very competitive and very genuine.”
It was a good day for dual Group 3-winning mare Enticing (Pivotal), whose son Prompting (Bated Breath) landed the Golden Mile Handicap (1m) later on in the afternoon at Glorious Goodwood.
One Master and Prompting are two of four winners for the daughter of Pivotal (Polar Falcon), while she is also the grandam of Killavullan Stakes (Gr 3, 7f) winner Stela Star (Epaulette).
Enticing herself is a half-sister to Listed winner Sentrail (Danehill Dancer) and this is family that has thrived being bred to Fastnet Rock, with the former Haggas-trained Racing Post Trophy (Gr 1, 7f) winner Rivet (Fastnet Rock) and Group 3 winner Out And About (Fastnet Rock) also featuring on the page.
Further back this is also the family of 2011 Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) winner December Draw (Medecis).
One Master is one of 39 elite level winners for Fastnet Rock, who will stand at Coolmore Stud for a fee of $165,000 (inc GST) in 2020.
Later on in the afternoon, One Master’s stablemate - Pablo Escobarr (4 g Galileo - Bewitched by Dansili) - also bounced back to form in the Glorious Stakes (Gr 3, 1m4f).
All heart!
— Goodwood Racecourse (@Goodwood_Races) July 31, 2020
One Master gets her nose in front on the line to win the Group 3 @saintclairwine Oak Tree Stakes for Tom Marquand and William Haggas#QatarGoodwoodFestival pic.twitter.com/DslQRH4JYy
