Green Carrera utilised the stands’ rail to great effect as she landed the Sandringham Stakes in taking fashion, providing trainer Joseph O’Brien with a fifth winner of the meeting.
Having raced in two groups, the 30 runners converged approaching the final two furlongs and it was Mickael Barzlona’s decision to switch left towards the rail that paid dividends, with Green Carrera (8/1) powering home alone for a two-length success.
Runner-up Symbol Of Majesty (18/1) comfortably fared best of the runners down the centre, with the third Rosa Inglesa (11/1) a further two and three-quarter lengths behind. Blingy’s Sister (80/1) and Glyfada (7/2JF) filled the minor places.
O’Brien said: “Green Carrera has a big kick, which she used at the Curragh on her last two runs. Today we were keen that she relaxed. Mickael and her had a great set-up. She got a dream run up the rail and a great ride from Mickael with a light weight on her back. She was catching the eye from halfway, I thought.
“I am delighted for the owners. They have only recently bought her from Simon [Munir] and Isaac [Souede], who will be delighted. Whether we go for another handicap or a Stakes race, you would like to think that on the back of today she could hold her own in Stakes company.”
Barzalona said: “I was following Oisin [Murphy] and I ended up on the stands’ rail. I was travelling very well, while the horses have been going well on the stands’ side. She won well and did everything right.
“We got a beautiful run. When I asked her to pick up, she picked up very nicely. When I reached the front, I did not know if anyone was going to come with me, but it looks like I went on my own. She did well.
“It is always a very hard week. It is hard to pick up good rides and, when you do come here, it is always good to have that support. It is a very tough. The French trainers are targeting it, although it is very hard to come from France and be competitive here. I am glad to be here this week for three days and to be riding on so many occasions.”
Co-owner Tim Cohen said: “Joseph recommended Green Carrera. We thought firm ground would be to her liking, so today was a great test of that and we just could not have imagined the result.
“We have been buying horses here for 30 years. We will race a few here, but predominantly we buy them here and send them to America. It has been an amazing experience. We are a little overdressed for Del Mar! The racing is amazing, the people are amazing and the entire community here is just phenomenal.”
Saffie Osborne said of Symbol Of Majesty: “She won her race pretty comfortably. It is just a shame about the horse on the other side of the track – there is not much we can do in those circumstances, or the horses can do. She did everything she could and had a really nice run.”
Harry Davies, rider of Rosa Inglesa, said: “Rosa Inglesa ran really well. She is a filly who is improving and hopefully she can keep on this upward trajectory.”