Australian sprint queen Asfoora ran another super race at Goodwood overnight in the Group II King George Stakes (5f) with a 5lb penalty for her last start Group I victory proving the catalyst for three year-old Blue Point colt Big Evs to be able to turn the tables on the daughter of Flying Artie.
Big Evs was third to Asfoora at Royal Ascot in the King Charles III Stakes, but this time the Mick Appleby trained colt was not for catching and held on to win by a neck for Tom Marquand over the late closing Asfoora.
“Big Evs is one in a million and the best I've trained by a long way. It's unbelievable to think of this where I was 15 years ago. I would say it'll be to York, then Breeders' Cup, then off to stud,” said Appleby.
Bred by Rabbah Bloodstock, Big Evs was a 50,000 guinea purchase from the Tattersalls October Book 2 Yearling Sale for Michael Cleere and runs for RP Racing with his overall record now six wins and two placings from nine starts.
Henry Dwyer was delighted with Asfoora even in defeat and is already placing for her next assignment which is likely the Group I Nunthorpe Stakes (5f) at York on August 23.
“Asfoora has gone as well as we could have hoped and we're very proud of her. You could just tell about 400 metres after the start she just came off the bridle. She's quick but they were a bit quick for her early,” said Dwyer.
“Big Evs controlled his own destiny whereas we were stuck behind a couple and got a bit of a bump which probably cost us the win but she's run well and we're more than happy just to be competing.”
A Group I winner last season of the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf, Big Evs is the best of five winners from Hana Lina, a placed half-sister to Group III winner Lady of the Desert (dam of Group II winner Queen Kindly) from Group I winner Queen’s Logic. It’s a top class family that also features European Horse of the Year Dylan Thomas and Group I winners Homecoming Queen, Shale and Serpentine.
The sires of both Big Evs and Asfoora are standing in Victoria this year with Blue Point (IRE) shuttling to Darley at a fee of $44,000, while Flying Arties stands at Blue Gum Farm at a fee of $16,500.
