Sacred sails to silky smooth Chartwell Stakes victory

Next stop Royal Ascot for high-class Haggas mare.

Sacred upheld her fine record fresh to oblige favourite-backers in style and lead home a William Haggas one-three in Lingfield’s Fitzdares Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes.

The five-year-old was the undoubted class act of the line-up and was anchored in rear alongside Haggas-trained stablemate Queen Aminatu in the early stages, as Richard Hughes’ Candle Of Hope was away well from a wide draw and led from Nell Gwyn third Secret Angel.

Rounding the final bend Ryan Moore and the 13-8 market leader still had plenty of traffic ahead of them, but soon began to chart their path to the winning line.

It did not take long for the duo to have old rival Sandrine covered as Sacred proved she still possessed plenty of zip to record a clear-cut two-and-a-quarter length victory.

Queen Aminatu plugged on for the bronze medal and in the aftermath of the Group Three contest, the Cheveley Park-owned winner was handed quotes of 10-1 from 14s by both Paddy Power and Betfair for the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

“We’ve kept her in training to try to win a Group One remembering she was only beaten a length in the Jubilee last year,” said Max McLoughlin management assistant to the owners.

“She’s a high-class filly and a Group Two winner, and it was great to see her do it so impressively.

Sacred and Ryan Moore winning the Fitzdares Chartwell Fillies' Stakes at Lingfield
Sacred and Ryan Moore winning the Fitzdares Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes at Lingfield (PA)

“She will go to Ascot and could have another crack at the Jubilee, although she’s also in the Duke of Edinburgh.”

Moore added: “She’s a lovely filly who has won multiple Group races, and the all-weather round here suited her.

“She quickened up very well and I was impressed with her. She’s a seven-furlong filly.”

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