Glorious Goodwood

racing news/

Midday Completes Nassau Stakes Hat-Trick
30/07/11

1 Midday 6/4F
2 Snow Fairy 5/2
3 Principal Role 12/1
NR: Misty For Me (IRE)
6 ran Distances: 2l, 1¼l, nk
TIME 2m 7.72s (slow by 3.42s)

Midday oozed class as she swept to a third victory in the Group One Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

Midday
© Racehorse Photos

Sir Henry Cecil's filly was going best of all as she was brought to challenge marginal leader Crystal Capella with a furlong and a half left by Tom Queally, as Snow Fairy began her run from just behind them.

It looked as if the dual Oaks winner might make a race of it, but Midday (6-4 favourite) eased away and won by a comfortable two lengths, with stable companion Principal Role taking third late on.

It was Midday's sixth triumph at the highest level and it completed a memorable week for Cecil and Queally following Frankel's awesome display in the Sussex Stakes on Wednesday.

Queally said: "She's the queen of Goodwood now. She loves it here. She's very special, she's special to me and everyone at the yard. She's a sweetheart. What a week - it's been brilliant.

""We started to get racing early, but I was able to get her back on the bridle and give her a breather. I was conscious that Frankie (Dettori) was thereabouts (on Snow Fairy), but I just gave her a smack and made her mind up for her."

Cecil added: "I am very pleased. Last year she became one of three to have won the race twice and now she has broken the record and won three. She has won six Group Ones in her career and been unlucky not to win another two or three more. She is a marvellous mare.

"I don't know what happened when she got beat in Ireland last time, but she was probably beaten by a very good filly.

"I am very happy and have had a great week. Hopefully she will go for the Yorkshire Oaks, but we'll feel our way and she'll tell us what we should do. She might go to Ascot (for the Champion Stakes) but let's see, all options are open."

Midday won the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf back in 2009 but she was only second at last year's event and Cecil implied that another Stateside trip may not be on the agenda. "We'll leave it completely open, but I don't especially like Churchill Downs," he concluded.

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Midday H R A Cecil	T P Queally 9st 6lbs	6 - 4 Winner
2	Snow Fairy E A L Dunlop	L Dettori 9st 6lbs	5 - 2 2 lengths
3	Principal Role H R A Cecil	R Hughes 9st 6lbs	12 - 1 1 1/4 length
4	Crystal Capella Sir Michael Stoute	J Fortune 9st 6lbs	4 - 1 Neck
5	Barefoot Lady R A Fahey	P Hanagan 8st 10lbs	10 - 1 1 3/4 length
6	Field Day B J Meehan	K Fallon 9st 6lbs	25 - 1 3/4 length
NonRunner	Misty For Me A P O'Brien	Non Runner 8st 10lbs	-