Summer Romance back on song in G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes

Summer Romance returned to form when making all to comfortably win the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes over an extended mile at Epsom Downs, UK, on Saturday, 4 July.

The Charlie Appleby-trained filly, a decisive winner of the Listed Empress Stakes as a juvenile last year, was sent to the front of the six runners by William Buick and soon established three-quarter length advantage over the G1 1,000 Guineas second Cloak Of Spirits.

Summer Romance had most of her rivals in trouble with three furlongs left and found plenty as Cloak Of Spirits briefly threatened to challenge a furlong and a half out, galloping out strongly to score by three-quarters of a length.

Charlie Appleby said: “It was a great ride by William and we are very pleased to see Summer Romance win a G3 race. She won on debut last year before scoring impressively in the Empress Stakes but lost her way a little bit afterwards.

“We felt that she would come forward for her first run of the season in the 1,000 Guineas [eighth] and she has done it well in the end. It is nice to see her get her head in front and, while we have no immediate plans, we can think about looking for some more nice races.”

William Buick said: "Summer Romance ran a good race in the 1,000 Guineas last time. I wasn't in a very good position in that race and was worried about what was in front of me. It was hard to notice it from the naked eye, but she did a lot of late work at Newmarket. Last year, she was obviously very speedy and very sharp, but Charlie was adamant that a mile would be within her compass.

"We got a soft lead today and it suited her. She has turned the Guineas form around with Cloak Of Spirits. Summer Romance has always been perceived as a nice filly in the stable and I am just pleased that she has got a Group win next to her name."