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Although Coto De Caza posted a visually impressive display in the British Stallion Studs EBF Alice Keppel Fillies’ Conditions Stakes at Goodwood last week, it was her antics pre-race that earnt the Sioux Nation filly the two-year-old of the week accolade.
Awash with sweat in the pre-parade and the parade ring, it was difficult to not post the Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly as an early negative and she continued her antics all the way to the start, appearing to have thrown the race before it had even begun. A 2/1 favourite for the five-furlong contest, Coto De Caza was bumped as she came out of the stalls under Harry Davies and immediately took a keen hold, chasing the leaders in the first three furlongs. Davies, securing his first victory at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, remained calm under pressure and asked the filly to pursue the leader Storm Call with a furlong to run and she responded gamely, pulling out a two-and-a-half length victory over Karl Burke's charge. Blue Zodiac, who jumped left coming out of the stalls, finished third and deserves plaudits for a recovery run.
Co-trainer Ed Crisford confirmed pre-race concerns, saying: "Coto De Caza is just a little bit flighty and was getting very worked up, so I asked the stewards if we could go down early. To be honest with you, I thought she had run her race. I was very worried, but she's a good filly. She's got a lot of talent and a lot of class.
"When she won at Beverley, it was a quiet meeting but it's a festival meeting here, a lot of people, and it's very hot as well. A few of them were getting warm but she was particularly getting worked up.
"I think Les and Chris [who were looking after her] were sweating as much as she was! She's a nice filly and I'm pleased for the owner. They don't have many horses, so it is great for them.
"I don't think we want to be bringing her back too quickly after this; just give her the time and see how she is, but maybe something like the Flying Childers might suit her.
"I think we have learnt a lot about her today, and it is only her third run. It is about channelling that energy in the right spot now."
Jockey Harry Davies was hopeful for further success at a higher level, remarking: "Coto De Caza won really nicely at Beverley on soft ground after a nice debut at Lingfield on quite fast ground. She was just a little bit babyish that day.
"We have had to work quite hard to get her to be patient and keep her head. She can just get a little bit wound up.
"She showed her class because she did everything wrong in the prelims. She hit the line good and she has loads of speed. Hopefully, we will be able to pick up a Stakes race with her."
The second raced foal out of Fast Company mare Coto, Coto De Caza showed plenty of speed during the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale in May and was secured for €270,000 for owner Mohammed Sultan. Her page has an interesting mix of international flavour, with third dam Thislillightofmine (Kingmambo) a dam of nine winners from ten runners, including Canadian Listed performer Thislilsoulofmine. Further back in the pedigree, there is enough stamina to suggest this filly could extend further than five furlongs – the fourth-dam was responsible for Prix du Cadran hero Chief Contender and Imperfect Circle, who produced Group 1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Spinning World.
