Unexposed three-year-old Waardah relished the step up to 14 furlongs as she notched a first Pattern race victory in the G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes.
Stepping beyond a mile and a quarter for the first time, Waardah was given a patient ride by Callum Rodriguez before switching out to make her challenge approaching the final three furlongs.
Waardah led two furlongs out, with Danielle throwing down a sustained challenge on her inside. The duo pulled just over four lengths clear as they battled towards the line, with Owen Burrows’ filly prevailing by three-quarters of a length.
This was a second significant success at Goodwood this season for Waardah, who landed the Listed Weatherbys / British EBF Agnes Keyser Stakes at the course in June.
Burrows said: “Callum said Waardah switched off great, and in hindsight, he probably got there a little bit too soon, but we are still learning about her. She is inexperienced but very honest.
“I thought when the runner-up came to her, she was going to get outstayed, but in the last half furlong she was probably going away again. She will have no trouble going back to a mile and a half either, so she is an exciting filly.
“She has always shown up well at home, so it was no surprise she won first time up, even though it was only a four-runner race. We stepped her up into Listed class, but she didn’t really handle Newmarket back then.
“I keep bleating on about it, but we could never get onto the grass to get some good work into her. She was a bit keen at home, that’s why I ran her over a mile first time, I just needed to get that buzz out of her.
“She is in the Yorkshire Oaks, although I think it is important that she gets a little bit of juice in the ground. We will see how she comes out of this, but I think Ascot at the end of the year for the Fillies & Mares would be right up her street.
“We were patient with her last year. With her pedigree, we knew that we were going to be going distances. I think she can only get better as the year goes on, and even next year.”
Rodriguez, one of the jockeys involved in an emergency plane landing earlier this week, said: “It was a messy start to the week, but we made sure that we were on four wheels today. I am very pleased to get that one off my back.
“Waardah is a rapidly improving filly and has a nice way of racing – she was relaxed last time, was strong through the line, and took a bit of pulling up. We were confident that she would get this trip and the ground was perfect.
“She switched off real good early and has actually taken me into the race a little bit too easily. She just idled a touch when she got there and needed the other horse to help her along. It was a very good performance. Hopefully, she can keep improving.”
Thady Gosden said of Danielle: “She hadn’t run this season. She is a very genuine filly who gives her all. That was a pleasing race first time back. The winner is a nice filly. We have been avoiding quicker ground with Danielle but, after the rain we had on Thursday, it suited her even though it was drying. The Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster would be a natural step.’’
Sir AP McCoy, racing advisor to JP McManus, owner of Goodie Two Shoes, said: “The ground was probably a little bit soft for her. If Noreen McManus hadn’t bred her, JP would tell you she is failed jumper! Jumping will always be his first choice, but she is a good mare. She has been well trained, well placed and it was very good prize money to come here for.’’
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