Kotsi on trial at Newbury

Kotsi will step up in trip to 10 furlongs for the first time when she makes her seasonal reappearance in the Swettenham Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes at Newbury on Friday.

Ed Vaughan’s daughter of Nayef achieved a good deal at two, following up a maiden win over Annie Skates with a close second to Spacious in the May Hill and a respectable fourth to Listen in the Fillies’ Mile.

While she has taken a little while to sparkle this spring, Kotsi is now beginning to blossom.

Vaughan said: “If we missed the Pretty Polly it was really always the plan to go to Newbury with her.

“We put in a provisional entry in the Musidora, but we’ve decided to kick off at Newbury on Friday and go from there.

“She’s had a good winter and has done well, but like most of mine, she’s been a little bit behind.

“She’s only just come to hand but her work has been very good.”

Vaughan expects Kotsi to relish the step up in trip but admits he is in the dark as to whether she will be at her peak over 12 furlongs.

“I think when we go a mile and a quarter with her we’ll see even more improvement but the fast ground is a prerequisite for her,” he added.

“She’s in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot and in the Irish Oaks and Italian Oaks too, but we’ll get Friday over with before we worry about deciding where to go next.

“She’s not guaranteed to get a mile and a half yet.”