Australia Filly Impresses On Ascot Debut

Kesia (3f Australia - Caserta, by Dansili) joined a growing list of exciting three-year-olds by Australia when making a winning debut at Ascot on Friday.

Seven lined up for the mile and a half maiden, many of them well-bred, including a Frankel gelding out of Oaks winner Ramruma and a full-brother to the top-class Eagle Top.

Robert Havlin rode the John Gosden-trained chesnut close to the pace, gaining momentum to pass the leader and favourite Cape Cavalli with two furlongs left to run. Soon two lengths clear, she was pushed out to maintain her advantage by a length and a half on the line.

Robert Havlin commented after the race, “Kesia settled into a lovely rhythm and gave me the feeling she was going to find something off the bit.” Owned by George Strawbridge, Kesia was bought by Blandford Bloodstock as a foal for 300,000gns. She was bred by Philip and Carolyn Cort out of a winning daughter of Group 1 performer Daring Miss, from the top Juddmonte family of Flintshire and Enable.