Sun Goddess in a class of her own on the Knavesmire Aidan O’Brien said it would be back to Group Ones with Sun Goddess after she dipped in grade to run away with nearly £300,000 in prize-money in the Harry’s Half Million by Goffs sales race at York. Just 11 days after striking at the highest level in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, the Sioux Nation filly overcame trouble in running to demolish the 20-strong field. Sent off the even-money favourite, she came from last to first at the furlong marker before cruising clear under Ryan Moore to win by six lengths from 80-1 shot Battle Fever, with Speed Of Sound (40-1) another three-quarters of a length away third. “She’s obviously a very good filly, we’ve seen what she’s done every run,” said O’Brien, whose charge was second to Lowther winner Libertango in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot. Evaluating Stamina And Future Autumn Targets “We weren’t sure about the soft ground and we weren’t sure about going seven furlongs, which is why we decided to come here, just in case she didn’t get the trip in the Moyglare. “Ryan gave her a chance early, that’s the way you ride her, and they went very fast. In Ascot she ended up getting there a bit earlier than we wanted. She’s a very classy filly, she was bought in the sales for this race and it’s a great initiative really. “The plan was that she might go for the Moyglare. We have Alpha running at the weekend and she could go to the Moyglare. This filly could go, but I think she’s a Cheveley Park filly isn’t she? “She could go to the Breeders’ Cup if you wanted. Fast ground would be no problem and it looks like a mile shouldn’t be any problem to her.” Testing Conditions Suit Sinfield Finale Winner Andrew Balding’s The Lost King (7-1) pulled away inside in the final furlong to win the Sir Kevin Sinfield 7 In 7 Grand Finale Handicap by two and a half lengths. Anna Lisa Balding, assistant to her husband, said: “He was impressive, we weren’t sure whether he was going to handle the ground, but I think he showed us today that he was in good form and he relished it. He’s a good horse and an improving horse.” Hugo Palmer put a disappointing meeting so far behind him as Mia Fantastia (3-1 favourite) came out of the pack to pull clear and win the Mews Hotel Ossett EBF Stallions Nursery Handicap by two and a half lengths in the hands of Marco Ghiani. Palmer said: “The way the race panned out today was perfect for him. We’ve always liked him very much and Marco thinks he might be a stakes horse, and certainly on this ground he will get a mile well.”
