Mastercraftsman action shot

Nakuti another Group winner for Mastercraftsman

Gutsy filly Nakuti (4f Mastercraftsman-Sheba Five, by Five Star Day) became the latest Group-race scorer for Mastercraftsman when seeing off a classy field to win Sandown’s G3 Atalanta Stakes on Saturday.

Sporting the colours of Nelius Hayes, the Sylvester Kirk-trained filly edged her way through some tough opponents and held off the fast-finishing Blond Me to land the spoils.

"They went fast early on and she had no chance with that, so she had to sit and wait. That ground must be a bit dead as she loved it and really toughed it out,” said Kirk.

"She has improved and got bigger and stronger as she has got older. I am thankful the owner kept her in training as they were going to send her off to stud at the end of her three-year-old career. We might go over to France with her now to try and get a bit of that ground.”

Nakuti, a Listed winner on her previous outing, was bred by Eamonn McEvoy.