Horse Racing
Emma Banks dreaming of Summer Stakes glory at York with Spicy Marg
Owner Emma Banks is in dreamland with Spicy Marg and having decided against supplementing the speedy filly for the July Cup, hopes her choice is vindicated in the William Hill Summer Stakes at York on Friday.
After the Michael Bell-trained filly pushed Venetian Sun all the way in the Commonwealth Cup, a tilt at the July Cup was mooted but instead it was thought prudent to stay against her own sex.
Banks said: “She put up a phenomenal performance at Ascot and it didn’t come as a massive shock to us because we thought she could be that good.
“I’m looking forward to seeing her at York. If she can run as well as she ran at Ascot, I’ll be very, very happy.
“She does seem to love racing. She thrives on it, she really does, so let’s keep going while we can. It’s so rare to have horses that are this good – I’m blessed.
“She’s a firm ground horse, so while it’s going our way, we’re going to make hay while the sun is shining.”
She added: “Spicy Marg has obviously trained on pretty well. She continues to show the promise we saw last year.
“It’s totally pinch yourself. You dream of having horses that are any good, that can go to stakes races – or frankly that can win anything. Just winning is wonderful.”
Hugo Palmer’s Fitzella was a Group Three winner last season and was not too far behind Spicy Marg at Ascot.
“I was obviously thrilled with the way she ran at Royal Ascot, like fifth normally isn’t that good, but when you have that many horses behind you (it’s a good performance),” Palmer said.
“I just felt that maybe she got outstayed, York is a sharper test and may suit her better. We tried to make her a Guineas filly and that didn’t work so… she’s actually in the Nunthorpe.
“If she runs well at York, then hopefully she can be competitive in that.
“I’m excited and looking forward to her running.”
Katie Scott is shooting at the stars with Figjam, a fine fourth in Listed company at Carlisle recently.
“I can’t believe the price she is,” said Scott. “I really think she’ll outrun her odds.
“She was caught wide at Carlisle (in the Eternal Stakes) and had to go the furthest way round.
“We were pleased with that and Jason (Hart, jockey) got off her and said he would like to see her back over six furlongs ridden a little bit more positively.
“We have only got 20 horses and to have three fillies rated over 90 at the same time is very special, we’re really lucky.”
