Aayamza Express, described by Mark Wallis in his column this weeks as “the one they all have to beat” defied the ‘Curse of Smyth’ with an impressive win in Friday night’s Coral Champion Stakes Final.
The fastest in the field over course and distance went to traps as a 6-4 chance and was soon in command.
The 2018 Irish Oaks finalist was pursed by outsider Ten More but never looked like conceding her lead and duly held on by a two and a bit lengths in 34.90 (+20). Her previous best winning time was 34.87 (+30). The Doncaster St.Leger has already been penciled-in to her list of future engagements.
No one was more relieved to see favourite oblige that the Ladbroke Coral Head of the Stadia, Ian Smyth.
He said: “For the last few Category One Finals when Mark has had a runner, I have spotted him before the race and quipped, I’ll see you over there (at the podium) in a few minutes. Considering how many Category One races Mark has won at Romford, it is incredible that after my ‘words of encouragement’ they had all been beaten.
“I was standing just behind before the final last night, gave him the same speech only to be hold ‘I so wish you hadn’t said that‘. I watched the race for the first two bends and then glanced over at Mark. His expressions, and how much it meant to him, was written all over his face. The excitement and the relief. It was wonderful to see. Hopefully the curse has been lifted.”
AAYAMZA EXPRESS (t1) wins the Coral Champion Stakes Final from Ten More (t5). Photo: © Steve Nash
Aayamza Express – Champion Stakes presentation Photo: © Steve Nash
