Geocentric pips her stablemate in Listed company

Geocentric just pipped her stablemate by a short head at the end of the five furlong Listed Midsummer Sprint Stakes. Chocquinto certainly outran her 40/1 odds in this six-runner contest as she travelled smoothly for Andrew Slattery to really serve it up to the leader Geocentric a furlong and a half out.

Indeed, she took a narrow lead racing to the final furlong and a big upset began to look likely, however, Colin Keane got into the drive position on Geocentric who dug in to head Chocquinto in the final 100 yards.

Chocquinto gave best close home but Pirate Jenny flew home on the inner to keep the leader more than honest. The 10//1 favourite just held on from the 4/1 shot.

Assistant trainer Shane Lyons said: “I’m delighted with that. They’re both going to stay in training. Geocentric is going to go for the Sapphire Stakes. She does things hard but, because she’s going to stay in training next year, it’s going to be exciting.

"When she gets stronger and she matures a little bit and learns to do things easily, we’ll have an exciting filly next year.

"The second filly (Pirate Jenny) was hunting for black type, and she’s got it. She’s going to be a much better filly over six furlongs."

This was Geocentric second success at Listed level.

Additional reporting by Tom Weekes