Majestic Queen leads her rivals home under Michael Hussey © Photo Healy Racing
Majestic Queen who opened at 20/1 last night with Paddy Powers, landed a gamble as she took the Dubai Duty Free Jumierah Creekside Hotel Summer Fillies Handicap, under Michael Hussey for Tracey Collins.
The bay daughter of Kheleyf opened at just 14/1 on-course and was further supported into 9/1 at the off.
She won her maiden on her debut at Dundalk in October of last year and was just beaten a head on her only other start as a juvenile.
She finished fourth to Pearl Of Africa on her seasonal reappearance at Limerick recently and having tracked the leaders in the early stages this afternoon, she came with her challenge two furlongs out.
She hit the front a furlong and a half from home, and despite flicking her tail, she stayed on well from there to score comfortably by two and a quarter lengths. Liberating ran a big race to finish second under Kevin Manning for Jessica Harrington at 25/1 while Slipper Orchid was a head back in third under Shane Foley for Mick Halford at 8/1. Sharp And Smart (12/1) completed the placings a further length back in fourth for Hughie Morrison and Leigh Roche, while the 5/1 favourite Hanky Panky could only manage a disappointing eighth.
Tracey Collins said afterwards: "I’m absolutely delighted as it’s the race I had in mind for her from early in the year and it’s not too often that a plan like that comes off.
"She’s a class filly. Dad (Con Collins) farmed this race over the years, I think he won it six times. Sheena (sister) won it as well, so it makes it all the more special.
"You have to have a proper filly to win it and hopefully she will progress. She was a bit slow to come to hand earlier in the year and Michael gave her a super ride."
Additional reporting by Alan Magee
