Godolphin filly Tiny has earned herself a shot at better races after scoring a fighting win over superbly bred colt Cat D’Oro at Canterbury.
The three-year-olds, both having just their second starts, settled down to battle out the finish of Wednesday’s 1100m race with Tiny lifting for Kerrin McEvoy to get the decision by a short head.
Darren Beadman, assistant trainer to James Cummings, said Tiny had made significant improvement since her debut fourth at the track last month.
“James gave her a lot of time to develop and mature,” Beadman said.
“She has made improvement from one run to the next and tightened up, she looked a lot fitter today.
“She had a very tough run but she really conserves energy mid-race and she really toughed it out when she had to.”
Cat D’Oro, a son of star mare Catkins and prepared by her trainer Chris Waller, loomed halfway up the straight and appeared set to sail past Tiny.
But the filly refused to give in, the pair streeting their nearest rival by five lengths.
Beadman said the Godolphin team will see how Tiny comes through the run before making plans.
“I thought he had us on toast at the furlong but she really tried her heart out,” Beadman said.
“They did streak the rest, the third horse was a fair way back so we will see how she pulls up after the run and James and the team will decide whether she goes to a half-decent race.”
The victory gave McEvoy a double after he took out the opener aboard the Gerald Ryan-trained Tectonicus.
Riding honours went to Tommy Berry who won three of the seven races, including the final event aboard This Is So for Anthony Cummings.
