The Platinum Queen rockets into Nunthorpe reckoning

Blistering performance from Fahey two-year-old sets the pulses racing.

The Platinum Queen could be set to clash with her elders after breaking the five-furlong track record with an astonishing performance in the British EBF Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at Goodwood.

The Richard Fahey-trained daughter of Cotai Glory posted a time of 56.5 seconds under Oisin Orr, bettering the mark set by Trillium in the Molecomb Stakes earlier in the afternoon.

The Middleham Park Racing-owned filly (5-6 favourite) made virtually all the running, backing up her York novice success and powering four lengths clear of Union Court, with Star Of Lady M two lengths further back in third.

Fahey is now mulling over the possibility of supplementing her for the Nunthorpe at York on August 24.

He said: “Oh God, she is an extremely fast filly. We had a filly a few years ago that was quite quick (Queen Kindly), but this filly has a great mind and she goes fast very easily.

“It is not easy cantering her at home because she wants to go fast all the time. She does that easily. But all the rest of it is brilliant. She is a great-minded filly. There was talk about maybe supplementing her for the Nunthorpe this morning.

“It was discussed before the race, so I can’t see why it would not be discussed after it now!

“She is something to look forward to. There is the Roses there at the meeting as well, but we’ll sit down and discuss it and she’ll tell us where we go.”

Secret State is on track for the St Leger
Secret State is on track for the St Leger (Adam Davy/PA)

Secret State enhanced his St Leger credentials as he made it four wins in his last four starts.

Sent off the 11-4 favourite for the Coral Beaten-By-A-Length Free Bet Handicap over a mile and a half, the Charlie Appleby-trained three-year-old was keen early and drifted left in the closing stages, having hit the front at the cut-away.

But the Dubawi colt showed plenty of determination under William Buick to hold Maksud by a length and a quarter, backing up his King George V success from Royal Ascot in the process. Inverness stayed on well for third, a further head behind.

Paddy Power and Betfair went 8-1 from 12-1 about his chance at Doncaster, with his Classic claims set to be tested at York next month.

Appleby said: “That Royal Ascot race worked out well and physically he has done nothing but improve from the early summer to where we are today.

“I think the most logical step, going forward, will be to go to the Great Voltigeur. I know William has mooted the Leger, but it’s baby steps – from handicaps stepping up into Group company is a big thing. He’s a horse that I was very confident in coming into day, on what he achieved at Ascot and on how the horse is physically doing at the moment.

“We were, as I say, confident coming here today with a vision that this will be a springboard to the Great Voltigeur.

“There’s a long way to go (St Leger), but I think the Great Voltigeur will be a great race. The Gordon Stakes (where Appleby runs New London) will also give us an indication. Most likely, we’ll see the St Leger winner in the Great Voltigeur.

“There will be a question mark (if he stays), but the Voltigeur will be a great indicator.

“Hopefully then we can have a nice healthy discussion after.”

On the winner drifting, the Moulton Paddocks handler added: “William said he was on one rein, but the ground was good and he couldn’t see any reason behind it. He hasn’t done anything like that before but thankfully York’s left-handed, so we’re all right.”

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