Ellthea is ridden out by Colm O'Donoghue© Photo Healy Racing
UK raider Ellthea sprang a bit of a surprise in the Group 3 C.L. & M.F. Weld Park Stakes, as she led home her rivals under Colm O'Donoghue for Karl Burke.
Having got off the mark on her second start at Carlisle in June, the daughter of Kodiac then failed to make an impact in a Listed race at Sandown, and a Group 3 contest at Deauville.
She recorded her second win in a Nursery at Doncaster earlier this month, and went off a 10/1 chance this afternoon (20s last night and from 9s on-course).
Settled behind the leaders on the inner, she was pushed along to challenge two furlongs out. She edged to the front approaching the furlong pole, and was ridden clear from there, going on to score by two and three parts of a length.
The Aidan O'Brien duo of Sizzling (3/1) and Ballet Shoes (6/1) finished second and third respectively, with half a length between them at the line. Mary Tudor was sent off the 15/8 favourite, and she was another two lengths away in fourth under Billy Lee for Willie McCreery.
Burke said afterwards: "Obviously she is a talented filly but she has just suffered with being in season all summer really. Every time we took her away she was in season and not performing. There is a little bit of temperament to her which when she uses in the right way she is very useful.
"We would have gone to Ayr on Saturday for a Group 3, and we were just saying how about that for luck with it being called off and now having a Group winner. We'll take that all day long.
"I'm not sure if she will run again. We were thinking if she nicked a bit of black type we would probably pack her in for the year but Colm said she did that pretty easily and was a bit lonely in front. So we might look for something else yet."
The winner was bought for E88,000 as a yearling, and she is out of a Group 2 winner in Tropical Lady.
STEWARDS REPORT
The Stewards interviewed C. O'Donoghue, rider of Ellthea, concerning his use of the whip in the latter stages of this race. Evidence was heard from the rider concerned. Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence the Stewards were of the opinion that C. O'Donoghue was in breach of R10(4) by failing to give his mount time to respond to the whip. Having taken his previous record into consideration the Stewards suspended C. O'Donoghue for 1 raceday.
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
