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Johnston Gets Off The Mark In The Albany

3 minute read

Trainer Mark Johnston started day four of Royal Ascot 2018 as he finished day three - with a winner, Main Edition (7/1) coming late to win the G3 Albany Stakes for the Middleham-based trainer.

Trainer - MARK JOHNSTON
Trainer - MARK JOHNSTON Picture: Racing and Sports

"We came here knowing that she is a useful - she had two runs and two wins by her name. We have not got as many two-year-old fillies as colts for some reason this year, but we're very strong in the two-year-old fillies' department and this is one in the leading bunch," said Johnston. "It is great to get her off the mark in a Group race and it says a lot for the others as well."

Johnston, winning the Albany for the first time and recording his 43rd victory at Royal Ascot, discounted any thoughts regarding future Classic aspirations for the daughter of Zoffany.

"It is very early days to talk abut the 1,000 Guineas," he said, before adding: "Though we were joking with the owner before this race that we'll be back for the Coronation Stakes after she's won the Guineas!

"The bookies will all start talking about that [Guineas] now, but there are a lot of big two-year-old races to think about before we come to that. Let's get this year out of the way and see where we stand.

"We'll take one step at a time, we are only in June and obviously we'll think about the Cheveley Park at the end of the year, but there will be other races before then; we'll just get her home first."

Charlie Johnson, son of the winning trainer and assistant at the yard, added: "Our strongest chances were weighted towards the end of the week, so to have got Baghdad on the board yesterday knowing that we had this filly, Threading and Natalie's Joy tomorrow still to come...yes we're over the moon, looking forward to the rest of the day."

Doyle, who rode Poet's Word to victory in Wednesday's G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes, said: "It wasn't easy for Main Edition from our draw [15 of the 18 runners]. I went straight up where the carriages came down earlier.

"It was just where I found myself and, with the pressure going on to the ground, it must be quicker anyway.

"That was the only advantage I could get as I had nothing to race with and had to do it all on my own.

"I had such a willing partner today - she was so brave late on. Full credit to everyone at Mark Johnston's and the whole team."

Doyle picked up a two-day ban for using the whip above the permitted level in the last furlong and a half.

Bruce Raymond, Racing Manager to owner Rabbah Bloodstock, which includes today's owner Saif Ali and also to Saeed Suhail, who owned G1 Prince of Wales's Stakes victor Poet's Word, commented: "It's lovely to have two winners here this week. Poet's Word obviously had a good chance as I felt he had less to beat compared to Main Edition

"We thought it was between Poet's Word and Cracksman in the Prince of Wales's Stakes and that is how it turned out.

"Main Edition is a very tough filly who stays very well. She was in the firing line and she was never going to stop - she won nicely there."

Main Edition is 16/1 with Betway and Paddy Power and 33/1 with Ladbrokes for the 2019 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

La Pelosa is rewarding the faith placed in her when bought at Tattersalls' Craven Breeze-Up Sale in April.

It took a 280,000gns investment to secure her for Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin operation, but she is worth a good bit more than that following her excellent neck second place- under William Buick - in the G3 Albany Stakes. The daughter of Dandy Man (12/1) was beaten a neck by the Mark Johnston-trained winner Main Edition (7/1), and she finished half a length clear of third-placed Fairyland (5/2) from Aidan O'Brien's stable. O'Brien's Just Wonderful was sent off the 2/1 favourite, but could finish only 14th of 18 runners.

Charlie Appleby, who trains La Pelosa, said: "The winner had run twice, so had a bit more experience than our filly, but as William just said we have had a peach of a run.

"A furlong down I thought we were going to pick the winner up because James [Doyle, on the winner] had gone for his filly. She found for him, and while our filly picked up too she couldn't quite find the extra half a length that was needed.

"I'm pleased because she's going to be a fun filly for the summer, and I'm sure that stepping up in trip is going to be our next step forward. I would not imagine the Cherry Hinton would for her - we will see some of those Queen Mary types stepping up for that - and La Pelosa is a nice scopey filly who looks like she will handle further.

"She's a lovely, well-bred filly and you can see why the team decided to buy her at the Craven Sale. She has substance and a great head on her, and I'm hoping she can add to the black type she has earned today - hopefully winning black type next time."


Racing and Sports

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