Lucky looks star in making
Front-running tactics paid dividends again for Lucky Pipit as she destroyed her rivals at Sandown with an injection of pace at the two-furlong pole.
The Barry Hills-trained daughter of rising star stallion Key Of Luck galloped home by five lengths in the Star Stakes.
America America, appreciating the step up to seven furlongs, stayed on best to finish second in the Listed prize, just ahead of Leopard Hunt.
But it was something of a one-filly show from Lucky Pipit, who bounced off the fast ground and will now have a short break from the action before being brought back for the Fillies’ Mile at Ascot on September 27.
“Sandown can be a good course for a front-runner because it’s hard to quicken up past horses when you’re going up the hill,” said Bruce Raymond, representing winning owner Maktoum Al Maktoum.
“Obviously she will have to step up on that now but provided she keeps sensible – she is okay at the moment – she will be all right.”
Hills’ assistant Kevin Mooney confirmed that she was unlikely to run again before Ascot – describing her as “a bit delicate”.
Reading between the lines, there are clear concerns among connections over the temperament of Lucky Pipit.
But she evidently possesses considerable ability and she could easily be a Classic contender for the 1000 Guineas – Bet365 quote her at 40-1 for the race while Victor Chandler offer 33s.
A change of plan could lead to Fleet Of Light having one more run before retirement to the breeding paddocks after she ran out an easy winner in the iBetx.com Play Safe Pay Less Handicap.
The James Fanshawe-trained four-year-old is in foal to Muhtarram but could have a final chance to earn some prize money on the track in the Sofa and Co Rated Stakes over a mile and a quarter.
“This was going to be her last race but she has done it so well that we will certainly have a look at the Newmarket race,” said Fanshawe.
“We’ll have to see how she comes out of this but the way she won there was quite impressive.”
Fanshawe completed a 17 and a half to one double when the well-backed Gift Horse took the concluding iBetX.com Maiden Stakes.
Oscar Urbina was always going well on the son of Cadeaux Genereux who led a furlong out and stayed on well to hold the challenge of Glamorous Girl.
