Mastercraftsman’s Lilac Road Swoops For Middleton Triumph

[Wandering Eyes]

Jon and Julia Aisbitt's homebred 4-year-old filly Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}–Lavender Lane {Ire} {MGSP-Fr}, by Shamardal), whose lone stakes success came in last term's Listed Upavon Fillies' S. at Salisbury, went postward at odds of 15-2 for Thursday's G2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies' S. at York and displayed a willing attitude at the end of the extended 10-furlong test to continue William Haggas' fine run of form at the Knavesmire venue. She had closed last term with a second to the reopposing Ville de Grace (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}) tackling 10 furlongs in October's G3 Pride S. at Newmarket and finished behind that rival once again when fifth to Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in last month's G2 Dahlia S. down to nine furlongs back at Headquarters. The eventual winner adopted patient tactics behind the leaders along the rail in fourth through the early fractions, but slipped to fifth rounding the home turn. Stirred into action approaching the quarter-mile marker, she quickened smartly to go second entering the final furlong and was ridden out in the closing stages to deny the game pacesetter Aristia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) by a half length nearing the line for a career high.

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