Santosha in Princess Margaret reckoning after Newmarket third

Keith Hamer
July 15, 2020 1:54 pm

Ascot could be the next stop for Dave Loughnane’s juvenile.

Dave Loughnane is considering the Group Three Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot for Santosha later this month following her excellent effort in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.

The daughter of Coulsty belied her odds of 50-1 when sticking to her task to take third place, just three-quarters of a length behind Dandalla.

It was only her second start after she had sprung a 50-1 surprise on her debut at Lingfield last month.

“We were delighted. We knew she had come on for her first run at Lingfield,” said Loughnane.

“She’s a very progressive filly. She was still a little bit green and it was a massive run. She was drawn wide, we were out there on our own and he had to do it the hard way.

“The winner drifted out and crossed us a little bit in the closing stages and pushed us out a bit further. The better she was the further they went.

“She looks a very progressive type and there’s lots to look forward to.”

Loughnane has another smart juvenile filly in Queen Mary Stakes third Caroline Dale.

The latter is set to stick to five furlongs for the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, with Santosha heading for the Princess Margaret.

“We’ll probably have the Princess Margaret Stakes and the Lowther in our minds as well for her, and Caroline Dale is in the same bracket,” said the Shropshire trainer.

“She’ll go to the Molecomb and that would leave Santosha towards the Princess Margaret over six. I’m leaning towards that.

“It’s a nice headache to have. There’s a lot to look forward to.”