Lush Lashes lands Coronation crown

Jim Bolger's decision to return Lush Lashes to a mile paid dividends when the filly sprinted clear of her rivals to land the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Bolger and jockey Kevin Manning, successful earlier in the day with Cuis Ghaire in the Albany Stakes, were winning their second British Group One of the season after New Approach lifted the Derby.

It was a bold move from Bolger as the filly had run over a mile and a half in the Oaks last time but dropped back to a mile, she showed plenty of speed.

Infallible loomed up a furlong out but when Lush Lashes (5-1) kicked into top gear, she sprinted three and a quarter lengths clear with Carribean Sunset a further three-quarters of a length away in third.

There was a rough beginning to the race with plenty of jockeys vying for an early position but it was Frankie Dettori who bagged the rail on Nahoodh.

It was a sensible pace up front but Manning, who had only ridden his first winner at the meeting earlier in the day, was always travelling sweetly.

He moved his mount up to challenge for the lead and looked as if Lush Lashes was going to have to battle with John Gosden's charge inside the final furlong but her stamina kicked in and she ran out an impressive winner.

Bolger said: ‘I've been very impressed with her but I didn't think she could win in that style.

‘We knew after Epsom that she was going the right way but obviously I was very tempted to go for the Ribblesdale.

‘But having won a Group race already, we decided to upgrade her into a Group One and she's done it very well.

‘She had the Goffs (Fillies) Million won with a furlong to run and that is only seven furlongs, so she's always shown plenty of pace.

‘I was a little concerned about her getting the mile and a half at Epsom but, to be fair, it was more that she didn't handle the track there.

‘Next time it will probably be a mile and a half. There's the Irish Oaks at the Curragh.’

Manning added: ‘She travelled very well and we were in a lovely position all the way.

‘She stays well and I think she didn't handle the track at Epsom - at York (in the Musidora), she put her head down and ran right the way to the line.

‘She makes the job very easy.’

John Gosden, trainer of th erunner up said: 'I'm delighted with her. I think the other filly just outstayed her.

'I think we can look at a stiff seven or a mile and perhaps she could have just done with a little more juice in the ground.'

Dermot Weld, trainer of Carribean Sunset, said: 'In my opinion that was a vintage renewal of the Coronation Stakes and I was delighted with my filly who is so tough and genuine.

'I think she was unlucky not to win the Irish 1000 Guineas and possibly a shade unlucky not to finish second today.

'She is a filly who will get 10 furlongs as the year goes on and her next race could be the American Oaks at Hollywood Park in a fortnight which is worth $1million.'