Chiefswood Stable homebred Ghostly Presence, expertly handled by Steve Bahen, collared a free-wheeling Enstone in the final stride to win Saturday’s $251,200 Princess Elizabeth Stakes, at Woodbine.
Trained by Roger Attfield, Ghostly Presence overcame Post 10 to win the 1 1/16-mile Tapeta route for Canadian-foaled juvenile fillies and rate inclusion amongst the favourites for the 2017 Woodbine Oaks.
The chestnut daughter of Ghostzapper showed good gate speed and was able to settle comfortably in second position as Enstone, the 9-5 mutuel favourite under Patrick Husbands, opened up a 4 1/2-length lead through splits of :24.76 and :49.03.
Enstone led the field of 11 into the final turn as Crumlin Queen and Mythical Mission launched their rally from the back of the pack, but it was the stalking Ghostly Presence who found her best stride late and overtook Enstone to secure a 1/2-length win. Enstone held place by 2 3/4-lengths over Mythical Mission. Ghostly Presence covered 1 1/16-miles in 1:43.90.
Bahen, in taking his first stakes win of the meet, credited Attfield with winning pre-race instructions.
“Roger said she had some speed and to just try to get over and get position leaving from the outside,” said Bahen.
Ghostly Presence graduated by eight lengths on debut in a six furlong maiden allowance event on August 13, but faltered to fifth after setting the pace in the Ontario Debutante Stakes held September 10. Following a brief freshening, Ghostly Presence returned to action on October 21 and despite breaking outward rallied to finish fourth in an off-the-turf allowance route won by Mythical Mission.
“I thought her last race was a really good race. She didn’t have a very good trip, did she,” said Attfield. “I kind of liked her in here and then we drew the outside and I really don’t like the outside position on this track going a mile and a sixteenth.
“She had enough speed to get out and get over before the turn without having to use her,” continued Attfield. “From then on out, I was happy with where she was in the race. She’s a nice little filly.”
Ghostly Presence, bred in Ontario by her owner, banked $150,000 in victory while improving her record to two wins from four starts.
She paid $41, $15.70 and $8.40, combining with Enstone ($4, $2.80) for a $186.30 (10-9) exacta. A 10-9-5 trifecta (Mythical Mission, $3 to show) was worth $741.10, while a $1 Superfecta [10-9-5-6 (Spring Tempest)] came back $1701.40.
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