JONATHAN PORTMAN believes Mrs Danvers will continue to improve following her lucrative success in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury.
The daughter of unfashionable sire Hellvelyn, who was led out unsold at the Ascot sales less than five months ago, stretched her unbeaten record to three in Saturday’s feature, earning connections £123,000 in the process.
A return to Newbury for the Listed St Hugh’s Stakes on August 12 is her likely next objective and Portman is confident his star filly has not yet reached the ceiling of her ability.
“I’m delighted to say she’s fresh and well this morning and I’m really happy with her,” said the Lambourn-based trainer.
“We’ll see how she is when she starts back cantering in the week, but the St Hugh’s Stakes would be a possible target. She could go to Goodwood for the Molecomb, but I would be less steered towards Goodwood than Newbury.
“We’re in no rush with her as she’s still developing and maturing and we don’t want to overcook her too soon.
“I know the Super Sprint winners don’t have the best record of flourishing afterwards, but I would hope she’ll be different if we have a bit of patience.
“She’s proved she goes on all types of ground and hopefully there’s a lot to look forward to.”
Portman recalls how he snapped up the grey filly after receiving an email from her owner-breeder earlier in the year.
“She’s by an unfashionable stallion and out of a claiming mare who sadly later had to be put down due to various soundness issues . It’s a great story,” said Portman.
“She is still the property of the breeder. She had the filly but wasn’t in a financial position to have her in training, so she sent an email to several trainers asking them if they would like to train her and would be able to find someone to lease her.
“It wasn’t until recently I found out how many trainers got the email and I’m sure a lot of them wish they had her now!
“I think a few trainers were a bit lukewarm about it. I was away when I got the email but replied saying I’d like to go and see the filly and I liked her as soon as I saw her.
“The pedigree appealed to me as I like training speedy two-year-old fillies. I told the owner and I’d take her and I’d find someone to lease her.
“I did actually try to buy her myself quite cheaply, but the owner didn’t want to sell and I’m sure she’s quite pleased she didn’t.”
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