Mixed emotions for Haggas after fillies land one-two

William Haggas was left with mixed emotions after Song Of The Clouds narrowly denied stablemate Silver Lake in a pulsating finish to the Newmarket Pony Academy Pride Stakes.

Song Of The Clouds was the 11-4 favourite to complete her hat-trick for prominent owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer, with her stablemate Silver Lake rated her biggest threat at 7-2 as she went in search of a fifth successive win in the Wathnan Racing silks.

The Haggas pair came to the fore in the final furlong of the mile and a quarter contest but could not have been further apart, with Song Of The Clouds emerging best of the group that raced on the far side while Silver Lake and James Doyle bagged the near-side rail.

As the post loomed it was difficult to see who was in front and they flashed by almost as one, but the judge confirmed Song Of The Clouds the winner by a head.

Haggas said: “It was awkward watching but Robert Havlin (on Naga) decided straight away to go to the far rail and Cieren (Fallon) was one of those to follow him and it was a pretty good decision I think.

“She’s still learning and just over-raced a bit Cieren thought, but she’s pretty smart I think.

“She had an injury after she won at Redcar and it’s been a bit of a rush to get her back. But she’s a Night Of Thunder out of a very good mare (Token Of Love) and Mr Oppenheimer lost the mare this year so hopefully she will be a pretty good replacement for her.

“We’ve always liked her and she was second in a Newbury maiden and then won a Mickey Mouse race at Redcar but was still very green. She did well at Windsor on her comeback run and her work has always been impressive.

“I was staggered she was favourite today but she’s always pretty useful and it was always the plan to stay in training. Mr Oppenheimer is a breeder but he also loves his racing and I’m sure she’ll stay in training.

“The point of keeping her in training is to see if she will be a Group One filly. She has lots of speed and she could start at a mile and go up. Maybe the Dahlia Stakes here could be a starting point and we’ll try to win a Group One at some point next year for sure.”

Silver Lake may have missed out on a five-timer but is destined to join her stablemate back at Somerville Lodge next year.

“Silver Lake has run a stormer and without the other horse in there she has won by four lengths and has just improved and improved. I feel sorry for her but at least she thinks she’s won,” continued Haggas.

“She will be back and Wathnan is very much a racing operation. She got beat at Wolverhampton over a mile and looked pretty awkward but since then she has really grown a leg and been fantastic.”