Next Stop, Group 1 Champions Sprint Stakes

It wasn't meant to be this time in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock on Saturday. The winner, William Haggas’ now 3-time Stakes victor Montaasib was delivered late in the race, which looked to be the plan for Flora Of Bermuda who was travelling incredibly well under Oisin Murphy. Sadly yet again, luck-in-running was not on Flora’s side and for the last 1½ furlongs, our talented daughter of Dark Angel was met with a wall of horses and no room to run. Finishing very much a closing fifth in this hotly contested 6f Gr.1 sprint feature, we walk away with much to look forward to at Ascot come October.

When a gap finally opened in the race for Flora, who recently won the Gr.3 Summer Stakes at York in July, the ease at which she quickly gained ground and closed on the leaders was eye-catching, yet at the same time partially heartbreaking - you can’t help but think how close she could have been if she was able to run her race at Haydock. This taking run was marked by the Racing Post who in their post-race analysis quoted “She [Flora Of Bermuda] lost her pitch after running up the backs of rivals but came home strongly when it was too late.”

Jockey Oisin Murphy was poised for action but was never able to get into top gear. The phrase goes ‘that’s racing’ but boy you can’t help but hope Flora Of Bermuda is able to run her race on this top-class stage soon. All roads lead to Ascot and what an exciting race we have lined up for the Gr.1 Qipco Champions Sprint Stakes.

Simon of Bermuda Racing gives his views following the race:

“Unfortunately it was a case of what could have been for Flora in this very deep renewal of Haydock’s Group 1 Sprint Cup. Having nowhere to go one and a half furlongs out, Flora still managed to finish a flying eye-catching fifth. Onwards and forwards to the Champion Sprint at Ascot next month!”.

Catch the race replay below: