Harasiya shows classic credentials

The John Oxx-trained Harasiya stamped her class on the Group 3 Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown last night and was subsequently slashed to 12/1 second favourite (from 25) by Stan James for the 2013 Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

Johnny Murtagh rode the Aga Khan’s Pivotal with confidence. And she responded, quickening well down the outside to take command with a furlong and a half to race. She appeared to idle in front inside the final furlong and had more in hand than her official winning margin of two and half lengths over My Special J’s might suggest.

Winning trainer Oxx was typically forthright in his post-race comments: “She did it nicely and is a good filly. It was nice to see her step-up from her maiden win. She quickened up, but didn’t do much in front.”