Oisin Murphy steers Stateira to Newcastle verdict

Andrew Balding’s Stateira looks an improved performer based on her all-the-way success in the BetMGM AWC Fillies & Mares Trial Fillies’ Handicap at Newcastle.

A filly with plenty of size about her, she ended last season in good form but looked in a different league to her rivals off a mark of 86.

She was partnered by champion jockey Oisin Murphy, back in action in the UK following a recent working holiday to South Africa.

Murphy said: “He’d (Balding) targeted the race for quite a while.

“She’s probably not a natural seven-furlong horse, she’s from a family who want a least a mile and a quarter but the stiff track helped.

“She’s progressing, she’s a big filly. She worked very nicely in the early part of last season but due to her size she had some setbacks. She’s in good shape now.

“We hope she’s capable of black type, we thought that last year. She works like it, she just needs to stay healthy.”

Reflecting on his time in South Africa, Murphy added: “I had nine rides, I won a Group Two and was second in a Group One, it would have been lovely to start the year by winning a Group One but I’ll keep trying.”

Richard Hannon’s Witch Hunter has been a great servant to connections and defied top weight in the BetMGM AWC Mile Trial Handicap.

A Buckingham Palace Stakes and Hungerford winner in the past, Sean Levey brought him with a late run down the outside to win by a length and a half at 11-2.

“He’s a beautiful horse and an owner’s dream really, a decent horse that has run at the highest level,” said Levey.

“While he might have struggled in Group Ones, he’s been competitive none the less and he’s won a Group Two.

“He’s at his best on a straight course but if he went for something like the Lincoln, he’d likely run into a more progressive horse with a lighter weight, so I’d imagine we’ll look for a Listed race somewhere.”

Michael Bell’s six-year-old Duke Of Oxford (5-1) had tended to reserve his best form for Kempton but ran out a convincing winner of the Midnite AWC Marathon Trial Handicap.

Second on Finals Day in 2024, he teed himself up for another crack at that race with a dominant display under Hector Crouch, coming home three lengths clear of Ribble Vibe.

“He’s been a little unlucky here in the past, he’s run well in the (Northumberland) Plate and on Finals Day,” said Crouch.

“He loves that race at Kempton (London Stayers’ Final which he has won twice) and Michael has him in great order, he’s in the form of his life.

“I imagine he’ll have a little freshen up and now he’s qualified he’ll be back in April for Finals Day.”