Karl Burke has an exceptional prospect on his hands in the shape of William Hill May Hill Stakes winner Laurens.
The highlight of a 33-1 double for the Leybourn handler, Burke is already dreaming of next year’s French Oaks, the Prix de Diane.
A winner on her debut on Town Moor over seven furlongs, she was beaten by Freddy Head’s exciting filly Polydream in a Group Three at Deauville last time out.
Sent off the 11-4 favourite to go one better, she still looked green at halfway when chasing Nyaleti, but when she clicked into overdrive her long, raking stride got her there just in time, winning by a head from Dark Rose Angel with the same back to Nyaleti.
Laurens wins the May Hill Stakes! @DoncasterRaces pic.twitter.com/QT0J90JfqA
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) September 14, 2017
Her immediate options now are the Prix Marcel Boussac, for which she would need to be supplemented, or the Fillies’ Mile.
Burke said: “She’s in all the Guineas, but the Diane is the target I’ve always had for her.
“She’s the best filly I’ve had at this stage of her career and she can only get better, she’s still very green.”
All smiles for @karl_burke. Laurens looks a very nice filly in the making pic.twitter.com/qO5OY1PR3W
— Nick Robson (@ValueRacingPlus) September 14, 2017
Burke also won the EBF British Stallion Studs “Carrie Red” Fillies’ Nursery Handicap with Ellthea (8-1).
Highly-regarded earlier in the campaign, her last two runs had been disappointing due to being in season, but in streaking clear by three-and-three-quarter lengths she showed what she is capable of.
Burke said: “There’s a Listed race in Ireland for her we’ll go for next and if that goes well we could take her back to France.”
Ellthea bolts up for @karl_burke and Clifford Lee pic.twitter.com/CcPFSJwOFe
— Nick Robson (@ValueRacingPlus) September 14, 2017
Ralph Beckett was responsible for two of the first three home (and there was a dead-heat for second) in the DFS Park Hill Stakes, headed by Alyssa.
The winner made virtually all the running under Pat Dobbs but was headed by Aljezeera before battling back. Beckett’s Melodic Motion joined Aljezeera on the line for second.
“She’s awkward, but she’s tough and she’s from a terrific family,” said Beckett. “She could go for the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day.”
Andrea Atzeni’s affinity for Doncaster was once again on show with a double, courtesy of Laugh A Minute (12-1) in the Weatherbys Racing Bank £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes and Euginio (11-4) in the crownhotel-bawtry.com Handicap.
Performance of the day
Ellthea strides clear of the rest of the field to take the British Stallion Studs Nursery Handicap! Watch LIVE on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/im6PgZgPMV
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) September 14, 2017
Karl Burke has always thought highly of Ellthea but since winning her maiden at Carlisle her form dropped off a cliff. It turns out she has the unfortunate habit of being more often than not in season, which seriously affects her performances. Connections can start looking for black-type races once again.
Ride of the day
Georgia Cox may not have won the series, but her ride in the Silk Series Finale on Buccaneers Vault was further proof of the strides she has made this season.
Quote of the day
“We’ve has so much faith in the filly from the start” P J McDonald on winner Laurens – Watch LIVE on @ITV4 pic.twitter.com/fcpjQkrgfo
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) September 14, 2017
“I’ve never ridden a Group One winner before, but I’d be shocked if this filly can’t make up into one.” PJ McDonald after winning the May Hill on Laurens.
Tweet of the day
Oh no! Told my stepdaughter Alyssa that I would bet on Alyssa at @DoncasterRaces today but didn’t. ????She’ll get paid! #costmeafewquid
— Mike Cattermole (@Catters61) September 14, 2017
Commentator Mike Cattermole on an expensive oversight.
