Winsili causes a Nassau Stakes upset

Sunday 4 August 2013, 2:11pm

John Gosden inflicted a second jarring defeat to connections of Sky Lantern as Winsili emerged a 20-1 winner of the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

There had been an unsuccessful appeal at the British Horseracing Authority over interference received by Sky Lantern when Gosden's Elusive Kate beat her in last month's Falmouth Stakes.

Following on from stablemate The Fugue 12 months earlier, Winsili continued the strong association with the Group One event for owner Prince Khalid Abdullah, whose Midday managed an unequalled three wins between 2009 and 2011.

Winsili opened her account this year by winning a Listed race over 2000m and was fourth in the Ribblesdale at Ascot.

Richard Hughes on 7-4 favourite Sky Lantern, the 1000 Guineas winner, had been the man to take advantage on The Fugue last year, with William Buick riding the unplaced Izzi Top.

It was ironic he singled out Buick and Winsili for keeping him imprisoned among horses when he was waiting to make his move in the middle of the home straight and Sky Lantern finished fifth.

"It's not a fluke - I didn't bring her here for the Sussex air," Gosden said.

"She won well over a mile and a quarter (at Newbury), and at Ascot she just didn't stay. Straight after that we thought we could go for smart races like this.

"I thought, like everyone else, that Sky Lantern was the one to beat. She's a gorgeous filly and the Falmouth is not something that sits easily with me. It was unsatisfactory and I admire the Hannons immensely."

Gosden said the Breeders' Cup later in the year was a possibility.

Abdullah also managed to provide the third, Midday's half-sister Hot Snap, who offered far more encouragement than when she went down without with a whimper at her previous start as 1000 Guineas favourite.

– PAA

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