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Royal Fixation handed Lowther mission at York

Royal Fixation handed Lowther mission at York

The Ed Walker-trained filly won impressively on her debut at York before giving hot favourite Venetian Sun a big fright in the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes.
With Karl Burke sending the winner into Group One company next, that leaves the path clear for Royal Fixation to set the standard on the Knavesmire.
'We've never had a Group winner yet and we're up to a 99 winners, so depending on how our next few results go, it would be quite special if our 100th winner was our first Group winner,' said Opulence's Edward Brown.
'Royal Fixation is an unbelievable filly who possesses a lot of raw, natural speed and talent, when she came into Ed's yard everyone was very complimentary about her.
'We headed to Thirsk with high hopes ahead of her debut and she was very professional that day, she even jumped the winning line which I always remember Luca Cumani saying was a good sign as it meant they had plenty left!
'She really settled down after that but it was a bonus to win first time with her as a Palace Pier filly, she is in some of the more forward lots.
'We thought we'd aim high in the Duchess of Cambridge and thought she'd run a strong race but we'd all seen how good Venetian Sun was at Ascot.
'We rode her different, wanting her to settle, which she did, but then you ask yourself if she'd got out quicker would she have got up and won? We'll never know.
'I echo Ed's post-race comments though, to get as close as we did to what looks an unbelievable filly was a big effort.
'We're going to head for the Lowther now, I think the track will suit her and they are talking of Venetian Sun going for a Group One, so we don't have to worry about her.
'You wouldn't rule out her getting further but if she runs well in the Lowther, you couldn't rule out her going for the Cheveley Park. Being by Palace Pier, she could stay further next year but for now we're concentrating on the Lowther.'
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