The Paul Messara-trained seven-year-old has been far from
disgraced in her two outings at the top level in this country, and if the
daughter of Testa Rossa continues to thrive, there is every reason to believe
that connections will postpone a return to her native land until after the five
furlong contest on the Knavesmire.
The particularly wet British summer has done no favours to
Ortensia, who is at her best on a decent surface, as she proved when landing
the Group 1 Winterton Stakes on good ground at Ascot (Australia) in November.
She also put up the performance of her life to beat
Ireland’s Sole Power on Dubai World Cup night at Meydan, winning the coveted
Group 1 Al Quoz Sprint by a length-and-a-quarter.
After jetting into Newmarket in the spring, Ortensia was
prepared for an assault on the five furlong King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot,
and was sent off 9/2 joint favourite in the horse racing tips for the
traditional dash down the straight course at the Berkshire track.
After showing plenty of speed to lead the field on the far
side, Craig Williams’ mount faded inside the final furlong to eventually come
home ninth of the 22 runners behind Hong Kong’s Little Bridge.
Despite the terrible ground at Newmarket, earlier this month
connections decided to let Ortensia take her chance in the Darley July Cup on
heavy ground, and, in the circumstances, the Aussie sprinter ran a fine race to
finish fourth to Mayson, beaten just over eight lengths.
As long as those exertions have not left their mark on her,
she will most likely take her chance at York, and is currently priced up a 12/1
shot in the York Ebor Festival betting odds, headed by 5/1 favourite, Bated
Breath.
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