Time Lock turned in a career best performance to move a step closer to a first outing at Group One level after running her rivals ragged in the Princess Royal Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Stakes at Newmarket today.
Making her first appearance at the Rowley Mile since running out the winner of a course and distance novice contest last May, the Harry and Roger Charlton-trained four-year-old made it two from two at the track with an emphatic victory in the Group Three prize.
Appearing to appreciate the strong pace set by Peripatetic the 9-2 chance swept to the front inside the final two furlongs before readily opening up a commanding advantage under Ryan Moore.
Although hat-trick seeking favourite Sweet Memories went off in pursuit of Time Lock the Juddmonte-owned filly was not for stopping after passing the post four and a quarter lengths clear to back up her last time out Listed success at Craon, France.
Barry Mahon, racing manager to Juddmonte, said: “We have been struggling to break our Stakes win here so we decided to bring her over to France and we won that race last year with a nice filly. She bolted up that day and I’d say it gave her a bit of confidence and she looks to have improved for it.
“They went quick, and they went a proper mile and a half pace for a Group Three. She done it well and she stays well. She is genuine and tries hard.
“She has always looked a good filly. To be fair Ryan (Moore) hit the nail on the head as we set her back when we ran her at Haydock early on in the year and the ground was very quick and she resented it and it probably set her back a bit.
“It has taken us a couple of runs to get her confidence back and it looks like she is doing it now.”
According to connections an outing in the Group One QIPCO British Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes could now await Time Lock which she was trimmed into 14-1 for by Paddy Power and 10-1 by William Hill.
Mahon said: “If the ground was good we could definitely think about giving it (the Fillies & Mares Stakes) a go, but it would need to be good or good to soft ground. If it was heavy it wouldn’t be her cup of tea.
“There is a Group One race in Germany as well for her so we will speak to the owners and see what they would like to do.”
