Rain suits Costello on Reflection

QUIET REFLECTION splashed her way to a second Group One success when she blew away her rivals to land the 32Red Sprint Cup at Haydock.

Jockey Dougie Costello (right) said he had ‘never ridden anything like it’ as Quiet Reflection quickened brilliantly to win by nearly two lengths.

Trainer Karl Burke had worried that his star filly’s chances might be wrecked by the heavy rain which softened the ground sufficiently for July Cup winner Limato to withdraw. Without Limato, Quiet Reflection was sent off 7-2 favourite and travelled strongly. The response was immediate when Costello asked, with the winner of the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot quickening to the front and racing away to cross the line ahead of The Tin Man, with Suedois third. Costello said: ‘I’ve never ridden anything like it and probably never will again. She’s push-button go. She’s the real deal. She was fresh today and between the five and the three I was running away. I got there a little bit sooner than I’d liked.’ Burke said: ‘I knew she’d improved and strengthened. We wanted a bit of rain but I was a bit worried when it got this soft as I thought it might play into the hands of the older horses.

‘She’s just got speed to burn. She travels well and is so relaxed. She blows when she works but when she runs she doesn’t turn a hair.

‘She’ll go to Ascot next for the Champions Sprint and I’m praying she stays sound and can stay in training next year.’

Earlier, two sons of the mighty Frankel met in the 32Red Casino Stakes with the Frankuus getting the better of 9-4 favourite Cunco.