Winning jockey Jimmy Fortune at the prize giving
A step back up to Group 1 company beckons for J Wonder following her last-gasp success under Jimmy Fortune in the Group 3 L’Ormarins Queens Plate (1400m) at Goodwood on Friday.
The three-year-old daughter of Footstepsinthesand, trained by Brian Meehan, looked set for a big season when capturing the Group 3 Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury in April but found the step up in class and trip too much for her on her latest two starts.
She finished seventh to Avenir Certain in the French 1,000 Guineas and filled the same position behind Rizeena in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, after racing keenly on both occasions.
J Wonder settled better on Friday, when dropping back in trip, and came with a strong run inside the final furlong to cut down long-time leader Muteela, who was sent off the 7/4 favourite. The winning margin was a neck, with three quarters of a length back to Indignant.
L’Ormarin’s Gaynor Rupert on left
Meehan said: “J Wonder was wonderful today. Jimmy gave her a beautiful ride and knows her inside out – he rides her nearly every week.
“She was very good in the Fred Darling but things did not work out in the French Guineas or in the Coronation. She got a little fired up going to gate and things like that but she was wonderful today.
“I’m really pleased because she is such a gorgeous filly. I think a mile will be OK now she is settling. She was very keen in the Coronation but we have corrected that and she will have enjoyed that today.
“There is the Matron Stakes, the Sun Chariot and the First Lady Stakes at Keeneland has also been mentioned. Now she’s back where she belongs, there are all sorts of options.”
