Racing Centre

Natagora races to glory in the skybet.com Cheveley Park Stakes

PASCAL BARY gained some compensation for Six Perfections’ second-place in the 2003 renewal of the 1000 Guineas as Natagora ran out a thrilling winner of the skybet.com Cheveley Park Stakes.

Six Perfections endured a nightmare passage in the fillies’ Classic four years ago but there was no chance of that this afternoon as Natagora made every yard in the prestigious six-furlong Group 1 for a 7-2 triumph.

Christophe Lemaire wound the pace up perfectly from the front as his mount came home a neck ahead of the valiant Fleeting Spirit. The French raider is 12-1 (from 16s) with the sponsors for next year’s 1000 Guineas.

Chantilly-based trainer Bary said: “I’ve waited a long time to win a race in England, so I’m very pleased. And I love Newmarket, having worked for a year here with Sir Mark Prescott a long time ago. So I am very happy to win here.

“I don’t think she will run any more this year - she needs to have a rest. Maybe she will be back here for the 1000 Guineas. I hope she will get a mile - I’m not thinking about any further.

“She is a very good filly - far the best in France. Today, she has shown that she is the best of the two-year-old fillies in Europe. She has won a Group 3, a Group 2 and now a Group 1.”

The Group 1 Shadwell Middle Park Stakes went the way of Dark Angel, who raced handily before going on just before the half-way point. Michael Hills confirmed the Mill Reef Stakes form on board the Acclamation colt, coming home half-a-length before Strike The Deal.

Trainer Barry Hills, victorious for the third time in the race, said: “If he does run again this season he could go for the Darley Dewhurst Stakes. I think he will be a sprinter next year but you never know.”

The final day of the meeting starts at 2.10pm tomorrow with the highlights being the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes and the totesport.com Cambridgeshire.

By Tony Rushmer