Winter melts more hearts by claiming Coronation

Winter powers ahead of her rivals in the Coronation Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Aidan O’Brien dominated the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot with Winter leading home stablemates Roly Poly and Hydrangea.

Winter was sent off 4-9 favourite after her wins in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas and Irish equivalent and was always travelling sweetly under Ryan Moore.

When asked to deliver her challenge in the home straight, she found plenty for pressure to quicken away from the field in the closing stages to score by just over two lengths.

Roly Poly (12/1), ridden by Seamie Heffernan and Hydrangea (16/1), partnered by Padraig Beggy, kept on to finish second and third, with a neck separating the pair.

O’Brien said: “Winter is getting relaxed. She was a little bit lazy early on in the race, but she galloped on strongly at the end. She is doing well and is a big powerful horse now and we are delighted with her.

“She is a filly that is thriving from race to race. She travelled well – Ryan had her in a lovely position – and she comes home very well, which is a massive thing.”

O’Brien suggested a tilt at another Champions Series race, the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on July 14, could be her next target. Paddy Power quote her at 5/4 favourite.

He said: “We might head to the Falmouth in three weeks’ time, but we will see how she is as she has had four quick races in not a lot of time.”

Reflecting on the runs of Roly Poly and Hydrangea, O’Brien added: “We’re delighted with them both – they have run crackers.”

Moore said of Winter: “Those three races back-to-back, she’s come a long way in a very short space of time. It wasn’t a big field but there was plenty of quality and she did what she had to do. Hopefully, she’ll keep on doing what she’s doing.

“She is only doing what she has to do, really. She travelled beautifully through the race and is getting very professional – just doing what she has to do.

“It is hard thing to do, win two Guineas and then come here. Attraction was the last to do it and it is very hard.

“She is a very good filly and has beaten some good horses from France and America. It’s a strong piece of form and she is a high-class filly.