On The Up. Oratorio’s daughter Viztoria, winner of the Gr3 Canford Cliffs EBF Athasi Stakes, looks a top sort in the making
Avontuur stallion Oratorio’s smart daughter Viztoria stamped her class with an impressive comeback victory in the Gr3 Canford Cliffs EBF Athasi Stakes at the Curragh on Monday under Johnny Murtagh.
Eddie Lynam’s filly turned in two smart victories during her juvenile year and was a fine second on her final start in the Gr2 Criterium De Maisons-Laffitte in November.
Sent off an even-money favourite for her return to action and first start over 1400m, the three-year-old moved through the race ominously well and dispelled any stamina doubts by finishing off strongly to beat Bunairgead by a length. Ralph Beckett’s British raider Moonstone Magic was third.
Lynam said: “It was a nice trial for her. We had three questions we needed answering coming here – one was has she trained on, and she has. Two was would she get seven furlongs, and she did, and three was is she worth taking a chance with in the Guineas, and she is.
“You wouldn’t jump up and down about the form, but the manner of victory was good. Johnny was happy and the trainer is not unhappy. We can dream for another 20 days.” Viztoria was the highest rated of the eight fillies in the Athasi Stakes. She now goes for the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas (Gr1) of €300 000 on Sunday 26th May 2013. Run on a day described as one of the best sporting and social events of the season, the race features Europe’s top fillies competing over a mile.
