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Paul Messsara has confirmed multiple Group 1 winning sprinter Ortensia will look to continue a successful European campaign when lining up in the Group 1 Haydock Sprint on September 8.
Photo by Pat Healy Photography
Ortensia will be chasing a third straight win since arriving in the UK after she powered to victory in the Nunthorpe Stakes (1005m) at York on Saturday.
The Testa Rossa mare will step up to six furlongs when contesting the Group 1 Haydock Sprint at Haydock Park on September 8.
“We are heading for Haydock Saturday week hoping we get a dry track,” trainer Paul Messara said.
Ortensia’s connections have taken it one run at a time with Messara immediately after the Nunthorpe Stakes win not prepared to confirm whether the seven-year-old would contest the feature sprint at Haydock.
The triple Group 1 winner’s long sustained run at York last Saturday did take it’s toll however appears to have recovered from the outing based on how she has done in the last few days.
“She certainly dug deep,” Messara told Sky Sports Radio.
“We are very proud of her efforts but it did take a little bit out of her.
“She seems to have progressed well since her last start. It was certainly her toughest race so far. She knew she had a run the next day.”
Ortensia is an early market favourite for the Haydock Sprint, quoted at around the $3 mark amongst a majority of UK bookmakers followed by the likes of Bated Breath, Excelebration and Mayson.
“There are a few good horses like Excelebration coming back in distance,” Messara said.
“If the mare goes into it 100% though and she gets a decent track she should be very hard to beat again.”
