3 minute read
The highly promising Al Asifah will bid to get back to winning ways in the John Musker Fillies’ Stakes at Yarmouth.
John and Thady Gosden's filly created a taking impression on debut at Haydock before producing a breathtaking display in the Listed EBF Agnes Keyser Fillies' Stakes at Goodwood on her next start.
That emphatic Goodwood success tempted connections to roll the dice as she was supplemented for the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot just eleven days later.
However, she never looked to be travelling within herself and finished a well-held sixth behind Warm Heart, who has since gone to land a Group 1 double with victories in the Yorkshire Oaks and Prix Vermeille.
Shadwell's racing manager, Angus Gold, said: "We gave her a nice break after Ascot and she seems in good form, so it will be very interesting to get her back on the track.
"Until she disappoints again, I would say it all just came a bit quick for her in the Ribblesdale. Lots of clever people said she didn't stay the mile and a half, but for me that wasn't what got her beaten as she wouldn't have won at a mile and a quarter either.
"I just think she was very flat on the day. She's a big, immature filly and while she's not temperamentally unsound, I think everything just got on top of her a little bit [at Ascot].
"I'm sure she'll be better in time, and we hope she does well enough that we can keep her in training next year."
Al Asifah currently heads the betting at a general 2/1 but certainly faces some stiff competition with the likes of one-time Epsom Oaks hopeful, Infinite Cosmos having her first outing since finishing third behind Soul Sister in the Musidora at York in May.
