G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes WILAMINA GETS DESERVED FIRST GROUP 3 SUCCESS

[twocol_one][dropcap]J[/dropcap]ockey Frankie Dettori treated racegoers to one of his trademark flying dismounts after Wilamina romped to victory in the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes. The daughter of Zoffany is trained at Manton by Martyn Meade. She won by three-quarters of a length from Anna Nerium.

A delighted Meade, who only recently moved from Newmarket, said: “She has just been knocking on the door all the time. It was disappointing in her last run in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes – she put in a fantastictime at Newmarket and was still second [to Wuheida], but now it has all come good. “We’ll give her a time and see if she is good enough to step up to a Group 2, or maybe find a Group 1 in France later in the year. She is easy to get fit.”

The official winning distance of three-quarters of a length masked the ease with which the Martyn Meade-trained mare won as the 7/2 joint-favourite was always travelling sweetly for her jockey and put three to four lengths between her and field when asked for her effort two furlongs from home. Runner-up Anna Nerium made late headway in the final furlong but Wilamina was always going to hold on and there was a further length and three-quarters back to Shenanigans (the other 7/2 joint-favourite) in third.Dettori was full of praise for Wilamina after the race. “I was drawn eight and I was worried but I got a good pitch,” said the jockey. “Some horses handle the track and she went round[/twocol_one] [twocol_one_last] Tattenham Corner like it was flat. When I asked her to quicken, she quickened really well and it was never in doubt. She won really well. [box size=”large”]”She’s a gentle ride and did everything I asked of her. I didn’t really have to ask too much of her. She’s certainly up to Group Two level – she’s got a good temperament and a big heart. Hopefully she’s on an upward curve.”[/box]

Dettori also wanted to quash rumours that he is to retire soon. “There was a rumour that I was going to retire after the Derby – I am not! I’m definitely not retiring – I’m going to go on for at least five more years!”

The Richard Hannon-trained Anna Nerium finished well to take second. The three-year-old Dubawi filly was ridden by Tom Marquand and started at odds of 4/1.

Newmarket trainer Roger Varian is targeting Group glory with Shenanigans (7/2 joint-favourite) after her creditable third-placed finish to Martyn Meade’s Wilamina. The four-year-old daughter of Arcano travelled well in the extended mile contest but could not match the potent turn of foot displayed by the winner.[/twocol_one_last]