Top English jockey William Buick will recommend to trainer Paul Messara to start his smart mare Oretnsia in the Nunthorpe Stakes at York after a return to form in the Group 2 £100,000 Gordon’s King George Stakes (5 furlongs) at Glorious Goodwood on August 3.
Buick was having his second ride on the Australian sprinter and after settling near the tail of the field, the Group 1 winning jockey let Ortensia stride down the centre of the course to record a length and a quarter win running away from the Robert Cowell trained Spirit Quartz.
Ortensia was sent out the equal 6-1 favourite with the Bryan Smart trained Tangerine Trees and handled the tricky downhill Goodwood track without a problem.
The seven year mare had been out of luck since arriving in England after winning the Group 1 US$1m Al Quoz Sprint (1000m) at Meydan on Dubai on March 31 and with the race conditions to suit, a return to the winner’s stall was well received.
“She was head and shoulders above the rest of them. I wanted to be just sitting behind the leaders. I don’t think she’d ever been downhill before and Paul said that I shouldn’t ask her to do anything she didn’t want to do,” Buick said.
“I think she’d be better over six furlongs but York would be fine for her. Obviously she’ll be going back to Australia soon, but I’d like it if she stayed.”
Even though Buick had the feeling that Ortensia would better suited over six furlongs, he was certain that she would handle the shorter distance of the Group 1 £250,000 The Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (5 furlongs) at York on August 24.
Messara was also on a high after Ortensia produced her customary finishing burst after struggling at Royal Ascot when ninth to Little Bridge in the Group 1 £350,000 The King’s Stand Stakes (5 furlongs) on June 19 and also fourth on a heavy track to Mayson in the Group 1 £400,000 Darley July Cup (1200m) at Newmarket on July 14.
“Too pumped to get to sleep after that win,” Messara said.
“Ortensia will now contest the Nunthorpe at York. Can’t wait!”
Ortensia showed her great sprinting ability and her tremendous versatility winning now in three different counties, Dubai, England as well as winning in four states in Australia.
British bookmakers have Ortensia on the third line of betting for the Nunthorpe at 7-1 alongside of Sole Power with Bated Breath heading the market order at 5-1 ahead of Pearl Secret at 6-1.
