Maria Masters G2 Ascot rivals

Mastercraftsman filly Amazing Maria (4f Mastercraftsman-Messias Da Silva, by Tale Of The Cat) returned to her very best at Royal Ascot on Wednesday when winning the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes. Sir Robert Ogden’s home-bred, winner of Goodwood’s G3 Prestige Stakes as a juvenile, took command in the race’s final furlong to win by two lengths from Rizeena under James Doyle. David O’Meara, who has taken over the filly’s training this season, said: "If you hold her up she finishes well as long as she doesn't get to the front too soon. When she was sent to me we thought she was a really good filly and she ran a good race first time for us when we didn't really know her that well. James has given her a great ride today. "It was special last year to have our first Royal Ascot winner and it's great to get another one on the board." Doyle said: "Today I just got her to drop her head, relax and get loads of cover and I was hoping they would get racing a fair way out. They actually went quite steady and then William Buick on Rizeena upped the pace and we got racing from about halfway. "My filly was push button today. It was a great effort from the whole team and I was just a small part in it. "We went to Ireland at the Curragh and three horses all raced along the rail and I couldn't give this filly any cover the whole race so she was just racing a bit gassy but still ran a hell of a race. Today I was able to get switched off and she quickened up really well."