Godolphin snares Spring Stakes hat-trick

Asiago has joined a select group of fillies to win the Group Three Spring Stakes at Newcastle.

The new Spring Stakes timeslot has proven no hurdle for Godolphin who has claimed its third successive win in the Group Three Newcastle feature with filly Asiago.

Sheikh Mohammed’s team had captured the past two editions with Astoria (2017) and Aramayo (2018) when the race was held in September.

In Asiago, they found the right horse to fit into the Spring Stakes (1600m) new November timeslot, targeting the race after an unsuccessful hit-and-run raid in Melbourne where assistant trainer Darren Beadman said the filly over-raced.

“Her last start we had a throw at the stumps over the mile at the night meeting,” Beadman said.

“But she went too hard in front and just ‘gassed’ herself out

“Rachel (King) controlled the race (today), she took all the guesswork out of it when she followed the favourite across.

“She has some black type to her name now which is perfect.”

Asiago became just the fourth filly to win the Spring Stakes, the most recent Invincible Gem in 2016.

Beadman said the victory would set up Asiago for an autumn campaign encompassing some of the better three-year-old races.

“This is normally a colts-type of race and this will set her up for something nice over the autumn carnival,” Beadman said.

Asiago ($21) had a half-neck to spare over the fast-finishing Game Of Thorns ($21) with Donandkim ($21) another half-length away.

Favourite Rule The World led but was overhauled late and finished fifth.

King said Asiago relaxed well in the run and ran the mile out strongly.

“She came back and relaxed really well just off the leader,” King said.

“It gave a really good kick from the 600 but she wasn’t going to let it get away and she was really strong late.

“She just keeps getting better every run and stepping up to the mark.”