Breeding & Racing Magazine

Ortensia Now Heading To Royal Ascot Sprint

After the race, winning trainer Paul Messara admitted he was worried when Ortensia was last & behind a wall of horses at the half-way mark (500m) & noted: "At the 400m, I was starting to sweat; but when she got to the 300m, I knew she was going to get out wide & get the running room. It was just a matter of whether she would get there in time." Ortensia's jockey Craig Williams confirmed he was "determined to get to the outside" to make Ortensia's winning run, rather than take his chances attempting a run through the field, & emphasised: "We had our plan. Most importantly, we wanted to come to the outside & give her clear momentum. I didn't want to get into a scrimmage & she delivered." Williams also emphasised to the international media that Ortensia was a notch or two below Australia's best sprinters Black Caviar & Hay List (who are due compete internationally later this year) & declared: "Racing in Australia is thriving at the moment & here's another example. You guys still haven't seen Black Caviar & Hay List, so it's pretty exciting for Australian racing." Messara also confirmed Ortensia will travel to England to compete in the Gr1 King's Stand Stakes (5 furlongs) at the Royal Ascot carnival in June.