racing_news/

Fiesolana Rises to the Challenge
12/10/13

1 Fiesolana 3/1 Fav
2 Amarillo 8/1
3 Libranno 20/1
NR: Darwin (USA)
9 ran Distances: 2l, 2½l, 1l
TIME 1m 24.24s (slow by 1.74s)

Willie McCreery's raider Fiesolana made the most of the late withdrawal of compatriot Darwin to take Group Two honours in the Dubai Challenge Stakes at Newmarket.

Fiesolana
© Racehorse Photos

Aidan O'Brien's colt would have been a strong fancy, but Fiesolana also had sound claims and duly delivered in this seven-furlong contest after another Irish candidate, Ansgar, had made the running in the early stages before Amarillo took over.

Billy Lee produced the 3-1 favourite travelling sweetly to challenge the German runner in the final furlong and she pulled away in the closing stages to win by two lengths. Libranno was a further two and a half lengths away in third place.

The jockey said: "She's done it well. They went a good gallop and she settled well. She was going easily but doesn't do a lot when she gets to the front so I bided my time, then she picked up great.

"She doesn't do a whole lot but if they come to her, she'll find more. She's been great to me this year."

McCreery added: "That was absolutely fantastic. I'm delighted. Mares like that are hard to replace, she's beaten the lads there. She's in the December Sales and I don't think there's anything else for her after this."

Amarillo's trainer Peter Schiergen said: "The last two times he didn't travel well in his races, but today he did and he showed the form from Haydock (when winning the Group Three John Of Gaunt Stakes in June).

"He has had a good season and will hopefully stay in training next season."

Dubai Challenge Stakes
£90,000 added, 3yo plus, 7f, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Good to Soft, Good in places