Zilfee team in no rush after winning start
Enable’s sibling upheld family honour on her debut.
Connections of Zilfee are in no rush to map out the future after the half-sister to superstar mare Enable made a winning debut at Kempton. Like her dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winning sibling, the daughter of Sea The Stars is owned by Juddmonte and trained by John and Thady Gosden at their Clarehaven base. Unraced at two, she was sent off 7-1 in the hands of Kieran Shoemark for what looked a warm maiden event at the Sunbury trac, showing a great tenacity and will to win in the closing stages, fighting back and defying greenness once headed to strike bravely by a short head.The Zilfee team were understandably delighted with the positive opening showing and despite wanting to let the dust settle some more before confirming the three-year-old’s next move, are hopeful there could be a bright future ahead. “It was a lovely start and she has always been a good looking filly,” said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for the owners. “She was just a little on the weak side last year and just took a while to come right this year. In fairness to John and Thady they were patient and waited until they were happy with her. “She did it well at Kempton, I thought she showed greenness when she hit the front and she fought back tenaciously when headed inside the final furlong. When she got headed I thought at least she will be a nice second, but to rally back there was a good performance.” He went on: “You would be very happy with that and you would like to think she will improve from that and could be a nice filly. The second is well regarded and it could have been a nice race so hopefully she will progress further. “I haven’t really gone through plans yet with John and Thady and looking at the programme book there is nothing really jumping out straight away. “Whether they will take in another novice or not I’m not 100 per cent sure and we will just wait till after Ascot to see how she has come out of this race and then make a plan once things settle down. “You would like to get her out on grass and give her a bit more experience and it is always hard to jump into something too fancy on her second start, so hopefully we find something suitable and build up slowly.”
Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Il Est Francais back on track with comfortable Auteuil score
Exciting French chaser is on course for a crack at Kempton’s King George.
-
Naina continues on upward curve with nursery win
John Ryan’s filly has now prevailed in four of her last five races.
-
Apples And Bananas hits the jackpot in Goffs Million
Joseph O’Brien’s colt came out on top after a great battle with Antelope Canyon.
-
Liberty Lane defies top weight in Cambridgeshire romp
Karl Burke’s charge made light of carrying 9st 12lb in big Newmarket handicap.
-
Shadow Of Light sparkles in easy Middle Park triumph
Godolphin juvenile stormed clear of favourite Whistlejacket at Newmarket.
-
Hotazhell books Doncaster trip with Beresford success
Jessica Harrington’s colt is set to have a crack at the Futurity on Town Moor.
-
Lake Victoria powers to impressive Cheveley Park victory
Aidan O’Brien’s filly made it four from four with Group One win at Newmarket.
-
Bolo Neighs romps home to strike it rich at the Curragh
Ralph Beckett’s charge scored in a British one-two in the Goffs 500.
-
Wimbledon Hawkeye on the mark with Royal Lodge strike
James Owen’s colt came home strongly to land Group Two prize.