Winless since taking out the Group II ATC Challenge Stakes in March 2017, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained five year-old is always thereabouts in the elite races, but has frequently been her own worst enemy.
Ridden positively from the gate by Tim Clark she settled fourth and was able to
sprint home and win the 1200 metre dash by a long neck over Group I winners
Impending, Le Romain and Redzel."We were very confident today because she had done so well since the sixth in the TJ Smith in the autumn," said Adrian Bott.
Already a Group I winner having won ATC All Aged Stakes in 2016, English (image Steve Hart) took her prize money past $3.4 million with this victory and would be a very valuable addition to the broodmare band at Newhaven Park this spring, but Bott is confident there is a lot more to come for her on the track.
"She is entered for the Group One races here the Kingsford Smith, the Stradbroke and the Tatts Tiara. But we are also looking at getting her ready for The Everest in the Sydney spring," Bott said.
English is a half-sister to stakes-placed Al Naifa and is the best of three winners from dual Group II winning Anabaa (USA) mare Court, who was also bred by Newhaven Park as was her dam Splish!
They all descend from the family of outstanding racehorse and sire Grand Lodge (USA).
Newhaven Park have enjoyed success both on the track and in the sale ring from Court as her two year-old Redoute's Choice filly Al Naifa fetched $1.8 million when sold at Inglis Easter in 2017. She actually raced as well on Saturday beating one runner home in the Group III SAJC Sires Produce Stakes at Morphettville, so has a bit of improvement to make to follow in the footsteps of her older sibling.
The current yearling from Court, a filly by Snitzel, passed in at Inglis Easter this year at $800,000 and Court is now back in foal to Snitzel.
