Facile stakes success for Oxx’s Peintre filly

14th August 2008

Conditions could barely have been worse for the Aga Khan’s G1 Oaks third Katiyra (3f Peintre Celebre-Katiykha, by Darshaan) as she lined up in the Listed Hurry Harriet Stakes at Gowran Park on Wednesday night, but her class shone through as she cantered home to an easy two-length victory.

It’s been a damp August in Ireland, and the Gowran going was officially heavy but Katiyra worked her way through the testing conditions to take the nine-furlong contest with the minimum of fuss under Mick Kinane.

Trainer John Oxx understandably now feels the Peintre Celebre filly has earned a step back up in class.

"We were taking a bit of a chance running her on that ground and I toyed with the idea of withdrawing her," admitted Oxx.

"But her class pulled her through. When Mick said ‘go’ it was all over and she did move well. You could say we are back where we wanted to be with her and she does seem to have plenty of pace, so we won't be in a rush to stretch her over a mile and a half again.

"The G2 Blandford Stakes over a mile and a quarter at the Curragh next month might be her next race."