3 minute read
Emirates Queen enhanced her paddock value with a determined success in the bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.
A half-sister to triple Group One winner Dubawi, the Luca Cumani-trained filly (20-1) was given a cool ride by Andrea Atzeni, who was able to weave a way through from the two pole.
Quickening smartly on the outside of favourite Albasharah, the winner was driven out to score by three-quarters of a length from Moment In Time, with the 5-4 market leader in third, having not helped her chance by racing keenly through the early stages.
Relatively lightly raced, Emirates Queen had last been seen finishing sixth to Dalkala in the Middleton Stakes at York's May meeting.
Cumani's son and assistant, Matt, said: "I'm so happy. It's been such a long time coming. She really has matured but can still be tricky, as she showed when she was reluctant to come back into the winner's enclosure.
"She's got a great pedigree. We've always thought a lot of her, with her looks and pedigree we thought maybe we were over-rating her, but today she has showed her quality on the track. The Yorkshire Oaks would be the main target, but it's not until August 22, so it's still some time away."
Atzeni was riding her for the first time after Kieren Fallon was relieved of his riding duties by owner Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, and picked up a two-day ban (July 20 and 21) for using his whip above the permitted level.
The jockey said: "I knew three out I was going to win. She loved the ground and wants that trip. They probably didn't go quick enough for me, but I got a lovely lead into the race and followed the Godolphin filly (Albasharah) through. She's a very nice filly and I think there's more to come from her."
Cumani had last won the Lancashire Oaks with Pongee in 2004, the year it was first upgraded to Group Two status.
Atzeni capped a memorable meeting by completing a treble with wins on Ashaadd (9-2) in the bet365 Handicap for trainer Roger Varian and on the Ed Dunlop-trained Red Avenger (5-2) in the bet365 Handicap.
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