News

Ortensia Glorious at Goodwood

4th Aug 2012

Breednet - Tara Madgwick - Saturday, 4 August 2012

Globe-trotting Aussie sprinter Ortensia finally got conditions to suit overnight at Glorious Goodwood in the UK where she powered clear to win the Group II Gordon's King George Stakes.

She settled back in the big field of 17 for William Buick before unleashing her trademark finishing burst that carried her to a length and a quarter victory in the five furlong sprint.

It was her third run in the UK since winning the Group I Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai and the first time she has struck a reasonably firm track.

The Paul Messara trained daughter of Testa Rossa is now likely to aim towards the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes at York on August 24.

"On previous form she was head and shoulders above the rest. My initial plan was to sit in behind the leaders, but one thing Paul Messara said was not to make her do something she didn't want to do,” said William Buick.

"She is much better when she gets a bit of daylight. I was fortunate they split into two groups and she found racing room.

"You have very good sprinters around, like Bated Breath, but this filly will take some pegging back in the Nunthorpe if things go her way and she's in this kind of form."

A $50,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale purchase from the Riverside Stud draft for bloodstock agent Steve Brem, Ortensia has the impressive record of 12 wins and seven placings from 33 starts.

The best performer to date sired by Vinery Stud's Testa Rossa, Ortensia is from Aerate's Pick, who comes from the family of Group I stars Bint Marscay, Bollinger, Filante, etc.

Aerate's Pick has a yearling colt by Encosta de Lago, but won't foal this spring after missing in 2011.