Elinor Dashwood Takes Step Forward

With Royal Ascot behind us there are some very interesting Novice and Maiden races for 2yo’s at this stage of the season. Haydock is one of those tracks which attracts some very nice juveniles and the form usually works out, as those winners go on to tackle some of the Ascot form. Elinor Dashwood stepped up on her debut performance to take the 6f Have A Choice With Supalite S2 Irish EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes.

Kodi Bear has been quite a lucky sire for the yard and has proved to be a good, commercial sire. Shopping at Tattersalls Book 1 really does leave you spoilt for choice, although it means that securing the yearlings is difficult with the very best on show. There would only be one offering by Kodi Bear and with the filly being a full sister to a stakes performer, she did tick all the boxes.

Elinor Dashwood pleased from a very early stage at home but whilst she showed ability, it was clear she was going to continue to develop. Growing all the time she would take a little bit of time before making her debut in June, who was a good start at Haydock. A few weeks later she returned, on a little bit easier ground and ice again over the 6f trip. Again the line up look full of promising types and she actually took on a filly that had finished in front of her last time. Tom Eaves was once again in the saddle and used her experience well throughout.

The fancied newcomers were the slowest away as Elinor Dashwood moved through to press the early leader. She was straight into stride and took the overall lead after the first furlong, moving well and setting an even gallop. It was experience to the fore and she lead them through the first half of the race. Her rival from the debut run was one of the closest pursuers on the far side of the group.

Elinor Dashwood travlhed very well to halfway and began to stretch the field moving towards the final 2f. She took Tom into the race and there was only Royal Elysian who was able to go with her. With others coming under pressure the leading pair moved away and began to take one another on. As they battled away they continued to put distance between them and the rest.

The final furlong was a real battle between he fillies and it was clear that they would be franking the form of their debut Maiden. The market leaders in this contest were unarmed pair that had be slowest away and whilst they were beginning to make headway they would not be challenging for the win. It was a great battle in front and both jockeys were giving everything in the saddle, without throwing the kitchen sink at them. Elinor Dashwood had not relinquished the lead and with just 100 yards to run she changed leads and found more. This little extra helped to repel the challenge and she earned a head victory at the second attempt.

Whilst she is already a nice filly, it looks like Elinor Dashwood will only get better with time. She is a big filly that should continue to mature through racing. Tom had to cut out the majority of running and there is a feeling that she would be better in a better race. This could lead to a step up in grade for Elinor Dashwood where they can go a stranger gallop and allow her to use her stride and travel. Along with the win, Elinor Dashwood  picked up a nice Book 1 bonus but hopefully this is just the start for the filly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

five × 5 =

Archives