Aquanita trainer Simon Miller was in full celebration following the listed Crown Perth Belgravia Stakes 1200m today, with an unlikely quinella in the Ascot feature.
With three entries in this year’s race, including the two favourites, expectations were high for the Miller camp, but it would be his forgotten runner Miss Solis ($11.00) that would steal the show – proving too good for stablemate Darlington Abbey over the concluding stages of the race.
Drawing barrier ten, jockey Pat Carbery elected to drop the 3yo Oratorio filly back in the early part of the race, happy to allow the expected forward runners to dictate terms. It was no surprise to see speed machine Detection ($15.00) spring the gates and take up the running. The heavily backed Miller pair of Darlington Abbey ($7.00) and Hussy By Choice ($3.40 fav) settled beautifully right behind the early leader, and it looked as if the Miller grand plan was about to become a reality.
Passing the 400m, Darlington Abbey shot past the tiring Detection and seemed to have done enough to secure victory. But from the clouds came Miss Solis with a surging run from the top of the straight – claiming ground with every stride to nail its stablemate with a final lunge at the line to salute by a half head. Secret Scandal ($18.00) battled on a further quarter length away in third. Hussy By Choice compounded over the final furlong to finish a disappointing fifth.
Miss Solis now takes her winning tally to five from nine career starts, along with three placing’s to support a very promising record to date.
C.Blackwell