Winter is coming of age

● Twin Guineas heroine triumphs in Qatar Nassau Stakes - fourth Group One of season

Winter handled the step up in trip to win her fourth Group One of the season in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

Since joining Aidan O’brien from David Wachman she has won four of her five starts, which includes the English and Irish 1,000 Guineas and the Coronation Stakes.

Sent off the 10-11 favourite, Ryan Moore was keen to get cover early on as Sobetsu set the early pace. Briefly, Moore looked a little anxious, but when he pulled her out to challenge a furlong from home the result was never in any doubt.

Despite being a daughter of Galileo, Winter is out of a Wokingham Stakes winner so had her stamina to prove, but if anything appeared to relish the extra distance.

Having put two lengths between herself and her nearest pursuers, the last 50 yards just saw her idle which allowed Blond Me to close to within a length and a half.

With last year’s winner Minding lost to injury, O’brien and Coolmore have a ready-made replacement.

Moore said: “You wouldn’t say she was impressive by any means, but this ground is really as bad as you are going to get.

“It wasn’t a smooth race at all, and it didn’t go the way you’d like it to have gone for her, but she’s got plenty of class and that’s what came out in the end.

“With six runners there was a lack of cover, but she listens and did everything right.”

He added: “She’s won four Group Ones on the spin and is a very professional racehorse. She knows how to race, and how to win.”

Racebets gave Winter an 8-1 from 12-1 quote for the Juddmonte International at York on 23 August.

O’brien said: “It’s a good while since she ran last, so she was really thriving, she nearly turned from a three to a four year old in the middle of the season, which is perfect if they are coming back on soft ground, but that was nearly winter ground today so we were worried.

“Ryan gave her a beautiful ride, he was very aware and held on to her and saved her as long as he could.

“Even though it’s not that long, she’s had enough time to thrive so you can look forward to the second half (of the season) with her. The lads will talk about what is next, she’ll have a choice of York (International) or Leopardstown (Irish Champion Stakes) but she looks like she’ll get a mile and a quarter well.”