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Mawj battles to glory in G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes

Racenews

Exciting juvenile Mawj secured a first Pattern-race victory when gamely making all in the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on Friday, 8 July.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained filly, runner-up in the G3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot on her previous start, was quickly into her stride for Ray Dawson and soon opened up a narrow advantage over Queen Olly.

Mawj responded well as the pace lifted passing the two-furlong pole before drifting left inside the final furlong, impeding the staying-on Lezoo in the process.

The Godolphin filly asserted after straightening up in the closing strides to score by half a length, with the result confirmed following a stewards’ enquiry.

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Mawj ran another very good race. She is a light filly, which is the reason we don’t want to put too much pressure on her. We will see how she comes out of this but the next option could be the G1 Cheveley Park Stakes in the autumn.

“We have to give her time between her races, but she has a nice pedigree and is from a good family. She is the best two-year-old filly in the stable at the moment and will get seven furlongs.”

Ray Dawson said: “It’s great to see Mawj back and a massive thank you to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed and Saeed bin Suroor for giving me this opportunity. She is still green and raw – she heard the crowd and drifted out to the middle of the track. I have straightened her up in the last half-furlong and she has won going away.

“Mawj was very impressive on her debut at Newmarket but didn’t give me the same feel at Ascot. She wasn’t really herself and let the big day get to her, but she jumped and travelled very comfortably today. To have a nice filly like this is very exciting going forwards.”