Althiqa (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) was a model of consistency for trainer Charlie Appleby last season at three, and she continued in that vein on seasonal debut at Meydan on Thursday while picking up a first pattern-race win in the G2 Cape Verdi.
The winner of her lone 2-year-old start in May of 2019 before undergoing a wind surgery, Althiqa resurfaced in a seven-furlong novice event at Newmarket on June 14, which she won by 7 1/2 lengths. Returning 11 days later for the Listed Eternal Fillies' S. again over seven furlongs at Haydock, Althiqa was three-quarters of a length behind the winning Under The Stars (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) when third, and collected her first black-type score next out in Deauville's Listed Prix Amandine. Beaten just a length behind the great One Master (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) when third in the G3 Oak Tree S. at Glorious Goodwood, Althiqa was second back at Deauville in the G3 Prix Lieurey going a mile over the heavy ground and wrapped up her season when second in Doncaster's G3 Sceptre Fillies' S. on Sept. 9. Going back up to a mile once again on Thursday, Althiqa jumped from the extreme outside gate nine under James Doyle and had all of her rivals up ahead as William Buick set the pace aboard her stablemate Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}), the winner of last year's G3 Princess Elizabeth S. at Epsom.
With about five lengths to make up at the quarter pole, Althiqa swung widest of all but was moving noticably smoothly as she followed the winding-up Stylistique (GB) (Dansili {GB}) in her run. That pair set their sights on the still-leading Summer Romance inside the final quarter mile and provided a bit of drama when ducking towards the rail, but Althiqa emerged from the skirmishes in full flight and hit the wire 2 1/4 lengths the good.
“She has really quickened nicely there when I asked her,” said jockey James Doyle. “Analysing the race beforehand there looked to be a few who would go on, so after a slow start, I was happy to settle her in behind. She really hit the line well, so will definitely be worth a crack at the extra 200m in the Balanchine S. Before tonight, we thought 1600m was as far as she would want to go, so that was very pleasing.”
Pedigree Notes
Althiqa is the first foal out of the Listed Boadicea Fillies S. scorer Mistrusting (Ire) (Shamardal), who 3-year-old, Magical Land (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), was placed twice last year and who also has the 2-year-old filly Before Dawn (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and a yearling colt also by Althiqa's sire. Rabbah Bloodstock purchased Althiqa's second dam, the G2 Cherry Hinton S. winner Misheer (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), for 70,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 2.
Thursday, Meydan, Dubai
CAPE VERDI PRESENTED BY LONGINES-G2, $163,000, Meydan, 1-28, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:35.08, gd.
1–ALTHIQA (GB), 126, f, 4, Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Mistrusting (Ire) (SW-Eng, $120,206),
by Shamardal
2nd Dam: Misheer (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB)
3rd Dam: All For Laura (GB), by Cadeaux Genereux (GB)
1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby;
J-James Doyle. $97,800. Lifetime Record: 8-4-2-2, $170,543.
Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick
Rating: A++.
2–Stylistique (GB), 126, f, 4, Dansili (GB)–Sleek (GB), by Oasis
Dream (GB). O-Yvonne Jacques; B-Carisbrooke Stud (GB);
T-Roger Varian. $32,600.
3–Dubai Love (GB), f, 4, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Devotion (Ire),
by Dylan Thomas (Ire). (120,000gns Wlg '17 TATFOA).
O-Godolphin; B-Petches Farm Ltd (GB); T-Saeed bin Suroor.
$16,300.
Margins: 2 1/4, 1, 1. Also Ran: Silent Night (Swe), Summer Romance (Ire), Perfect Inch (GB), Quiet Times (Ger), Last Look (Ire), Stunning Beauty (Ire).
Click for the Racing Post result. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO.
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