racing_news/

Wading Storms to Rockfel Triumph
08/10/11

1 Wading 11/4
2 Pimpernel 5/2F
3 Gray Pearl 20/1
9 ran Distances: 2l, nk, 1½l
TIME 1m 23.75s (slow by 0.75s)
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Trainer: A P O'Brien

Aidan O’Brien has another exciting Classic prospect on his hands in the form of the blue-blooded Wading, who stormed to a two-length triumph in the Group Two Vision.ae Rockfel Stakes.

Wading
© Racehorse Photos

The Montjeu filly, out of the Green Desert mare Cherry Hinton, a sibling to Sea The Stars and Galileo no less, received a quote of 14/1 for next year’s Qipco 1000 Guineas with Paddy Power, while Stan James introduced her into the Epsom Oaks betting at 16/1.

In seeing off 5/2 favourite Pimpernel in a good time, the Ryan Moore-ridden 11/4 chance completed a 96/1 big-race double for O’Brien following the Emaar Middle Park Stakes triumph of 25/1 shot Crusade.

The Ballydoyle handler said: “She’s a lovely filly and we always thought she was smart. She had a lovely run first time with Colm (O’Donoghue) and then Joseph (O’Brien) rode her the last day at Dundalk and said she was very smart.

“She will be trained for the Classics, hopefully. It was seven furlongs today and she travelled very sweet - she did the last time too - she travelled very well through the race. She’s a very classy filly, she jumped smart, gotv a position travelled and I’m very happy with her.”

O’Brien already has the unbeaten two-year-old filly Maybe in his yard, a situation that excites Ireland’s champion trainer.

He commented: “We have two very smart fillies and this one has an excellent physique, she’s a good-walking filly, she’s a beauty. Maybe is the same in that she’s a good walker with great physique and we are very privileged to have both.

“They haven’t worked together yet. That doesn’t say they won’t but Maybe is finished for the season and this filly is just coming along.”

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Wading A P O'Brien	R L Moore 8st 12lbs	11 - 4 Winner
2	Pimpernel M Al Zarooni	L Dettori 8st 12lbs	5 - 2 2 lengths
3	Gray Pearl C Hills	M Hills 8st 12lbs	20 - 1 Neck
4	Bana Wu A M Balding	David Probert 8st 12lbs	40 - 1 1 1/2 length
5	Sunday Times P W Chapple-Hyam	William Buick 8st 12lbs	5 - 1 Short Head
6	Janey Muddles J S Bolger	K J Manning 8st 12lbs	11 - 1 1 length
7	Mary Fildes J S Moore	L Keniry 8st 12lbs	40 - 1 1 length
8	Regal Realm J Noseda	J Fortune 8st 12lbs	9 - 1 1/2 length
9	Alsindi C E Brittain	T P Queally 8st 12lbs	6 - 1 1 1/4 length

LITTLE’UN BEATS BIG’UN FOR MINOR HONOURS

Wading proved a comfortable winner of the Vision.ae Rockfel Stakes, but on Dubai Future Champions Day the second and third could prove horses to follow next year.

Pimpernel
© Racehorse Photos

Pimpernel, who was bought in Newmarket after she was offered at the Tattersalls’ Breeze-Up Sales in the spring, just held off Gray Pearl to take the runner-up spot. Mahmood Al Zarooni, who trains Pimpernel for Godolphin, said: “To be honest she ran better than her class. She’s a nice little filly, but her size doesn’t help her.

“I would think we will take her to Dubai and I believe she is good enough to run well there next year.”

Charlie Hills, who saddled third-placed Gray Pearl, said: “I’m very pleased. Michael [Hills, who rode the filly] said they really quickened from the three-furlong marker to the two, and the two fillies who finished in front of her are clearly quite useful.

“She’s a nice, big filly who might get better over the winter, but that’s her finished for this season.”