Asfoora Only Fourth in G1 Nunthorpe

Tara Madgwick - Saturday August 24

The Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York overnight had a short priced favourite in Aussie mare Asfoora, who could not quite get the job done finishing a close up fourth to Bradsell, while last year’s Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban (FR) showed he was back to top form winning the Group II Lonsdale Cup Stakes (2m).

Winner of last year’s Group I King’s Stand Stakes and third in this race last year, Bradsell has had a quieter start to this year only having his first run this preparation with a Listed victory at Deauville at the start of August.

Advertisement

Trained by Archie Watson and ridden by Hollie Doyle, Bradsell was ready to fire at York and the four year-old son of Tasleet scored a three-quarter length win over Believing with three year-old Zoustar colt Starlust in third place, just ahead of Asfoora.

“It's pretty incredible to be honest, a lot of hard work's gone into this horse. Bradsell suffered a fracture in early February and had surgery on a cannon bone, so his comeback was less than six months later. It's been unreal. He's an incredibly special horse, you know,” said Archie Watson.

Another successful purchase for Blandford Bloodstock, he was bought for 47,000 pounds from the Goffs UK Breeze Up Sale and is the best of two winners from juvenile stakes-winner Russian Punch. He has the overall record of five wins and three placings from 10 starts.

He is the first G1 winner for his sire Tasleet, a Group II winning son of Showcasing was at Shadwell before being relocated to India this year.

The connections of Asfoora were disappointed not to add another Group I win or placing to her resume.

“Asfoora has run well but she was 6-4 favourite so you like to see those ones win. She didn't so we're probably a little bit disappointed but it's not as though she's run tenth,” said Henry Dwyer.

“She's run well but probably not as well as her last couple. I didn't like her last 50 metres, she was there to run second or at least third and she was a little bit plain in that last little bit. Whether she's reached her peak or she's on the way down, or whether she didn't like the track, I'm not sure.

“We might go to Ireland for the Flying Five but if anything comes out of the run and we're not happy with her she'll be going home.”

The Group II Lonsdale Cup Stakes saw the Willie Mullins trained Vauban return to winning form.

"The ticket for Australia is not quite booked, but it has been our intention all season and we said we'd work back from the Melbourne Cup," said winning owner, Rich Ricci. 

"I don't know what Willie wants to do next, he's got an entry in the Irish St Leger, but Melbourne still remains the plan, we'll see what the handicapper does.

"He was very good today, he was ready to rock, he looked a picture and showed a great turn of foot.”



 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Coles Bows Out After 60 Years
Pukekohe’s Wednesday meeting marked the end of an era for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing, as Ross Coles, a treasured figure in the industry, retired after 60 years as Clerk of the Course.
Positive Build Up to Karaka Weanling Sale
Stars of the future go under the hammer at Karaka on Thursday with New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale set to commence at 10am.
Tassort Filly Too Classy at Randwick
Stakes-placed two starts back in the Listed Woodlands Stud Stakes at Scone, talented 2YO Tassort filly Wollzeile proved too classy at Randwick on Wednesday.
One To Watch – Randwick
After impressing on debut, the Chris Waller trained 3yo Super Seth filly Frosty Girl (NZ) took on the older mares on the Kensington track, remaining unbeaten with another stylish victory to become Breednet’s One To Watch.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday June 25
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Hong Kong Buyer Secures Top Lot June (Late) Sale at $500,000
The impact of the recent success in Hong Kong of horses sourced on Inglis Digital was in evidence today, with the top lot and the third top lot bought by Hong Kong-based owners.
Blueblood Filly a Third Winner for Tagaloa
Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Tagaloa is one of the more affordable sires on the Yulong roster and he sired his third winner at Bendigo on Thursday when well bred filly Teine Aulelia made a winning debut.
$190,000 Per Incanto Colt Tops NZB Weanling Sale
Little Avondale stallion Per Incanto’s outstanding season carried on in the Karaka sale ring on Thursday, where his weanling colt fetched a sale-topping $190,000 in the opening hour of the NZB National Weanling Sale.
Raging Force Bolts in at Randwick
Cosmic Force 2YO Raging Force was sent around in the Group III ATC Breeder’s Plate on debut last spring finishing sixth to King Kirk and coming out of the race with an injury, but time and a patient approach has put his career back on track.
Kaha Nui Swoop on Pinhook Prospects
Successful pinhookers Kaha Nui Farm were to the fore at Karaka on Thursday, and were rewarded with the crown of leading buyer at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Weanling Sale.