Romantic Pursuit third in G2 Sands Point Stakes

Romantic Pursuit gained some valuable G2 Black Type with a staying-on third in the nine-furlong Sands Point Stakes on turf at Belmont Park, USA, on Saturday, 12 October.

The three-year-old Medaglia d’Oro filly, trained by Kiaran McLaughlin and ridden by Dylan Davis, broke smartly and raced in fifth on the outside of the seven runners initially before moving up a place after the first furlong and a half.

Romantic Pursuit was relegated to fifth again with half a mile to race but ran on strongly between horses in the straight and took third just inside the final half-furlong. She galloped out well to go down by two lengths in total behind New And Improved, who won in 1m 48.44s on firm ground.

Kiaran McLaughlin said: “Romantic Pursuit ran a very good race. She raced a little bit wide, which cost us a slightly, but the winner was impressive. It is great to get a G2 placing with her, especially considering her fabulous pedigree.

“We will look ahead at some more Stakes races with her but I think that she wants further, so she may get a chance to tackle some of the nice long-distance races next year.”