Currie steers Angels Lane to Listed glory at Newbury
Nicola Currie secured the second Listed victory of her career when Angels Lane produced a decisive turn of foot to win the Visit Malta St Hugh’s Stakes at Newbury.
Trained by Henry Candy, the daughter of Harry Angel was prominent throughout and moved into a decisive position inside the final two furlongs. Angels Lane quickened clear to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Fast Track, completing a polished performance over the seven-furlong trip.
Progress underlined
The result represented a significant step forward for the filly. Candy’s charge has demonstrated both speed and a composed attitude in company, qualities that were underlined by the manner of this Listed success. For Currie, it marked a second Listed success following her Flying Fillies’ Stakes triumph at Pontefract aboard Princess Shabnam in 2022.
Angels Lane is a notable addition to Candy’s juvenile ranks and the performance at Newbury will widen options for her connections as the season progresses.
Evenfall holds unbeaten record in EBF Conditions contest
Also on the card, Evenfall maintained her unbeaten record in the BetVictor Watch Weekend Winners EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes. Ridden by Billy Loughnane for trainer George Boughey, Evenfall was pressed late by Sorrengail but prevailed to extend her sequence.
The performance suggested the filly possesses a cruising speed and a level of professionalism that will be useful as she is aimed at higher targets through the remainder of her two-year-old campaign.
Marquand and Sweetwonderfulyou get off the mark
Tom Marquand enjoyed success aboard Sweetwonderfulyou in the Highclere Horse Feeds EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes. The filly, sent off favourite, took a second start to open her account, showing physical improvement and the scope to progress further.
The win provided an encouraging platform for connections to consider the next steps for the filly’s development.
Festival implications
- Angels Lane’s Listed success places her on the radar for higher-profile juvenile contests later in the season, with Newbury providing a clear reference point for her ability.
- Evenfall’s continued improvement keeps her in contention for pattern-level assignments as she matures through her two-year-old campaign.
- Sweetwonderfulyou’s victory in a novice event highlights the depth of forward-fillies emerging this summer, with trainers likely to plot gradual progression against sterner company.
Newbury’s card underlined the strength of juvenile racing in Britain, offering a blend of Listed and valuable conditions opportunities that will inform planning for major autumn festivals.
