Santorini Star proves too hot for Consent in Doncaster Santorini Star digs deep to land Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster Tom Marquand showed why Aidan O’Brien has entrusted him with Scandinavia in the St Leger as he produced a determined ride on Santorini Star to win the Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes at Doncaster. Tough front-running performance William Haggas’ four-year-old faced a major step up in class after a York handicap success but thrived in the Group Two contest, known as the “fillies’ St Leger.” Always prominent, the 7-2 chance had to fend off sustained pressure from Chorus and Danielle before Sir Mark Prescott’s Consent briefly edged ahead late on. Showing real tenacity, Santorini Star battled back under Marquand to reclaim the lead, eventually winning by a neck and extending her trainer’s strong run of form. Marquand said: “She comes off the bridle quite early, but you never really feel in trouble. She’s tough in the finish, she enjoyed the ground and she’s really finding her mojo now. It was a big step up from York, but she’s gone up a big notch to win a Group Two and has plenty of options over staying trips.” Connections eye staying Cup races Carrying the colours of Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, Santorini Star impressed her owners’ camp with her battling qualities. Bloom’s racing manager Sean Graham reflected: “It was always a slight concern dropping back from two miles to a mile and six and a half, but the extra half furlong definitely helped us. Tom said she just kept finding and didn’t stop — that’s exactly what you need.” He added that with her proven stamina, she could be aimed at major Cup races next season: “We expected her to run well today, but to see her win like that is a bonus. She could turn into a Cup filly over two miles next year.”
