Queen Mary Stakes 2u4w36 |
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| Group 2, Ascot 14:30 £150,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 5f, Class 1 |
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695l59
Déjà vu at Colwick Park – and a sense of déjà win for Karl Burke and Wathnan Racing. A year on from Leovanni’s Queen Mary heroics, another potential starlet is stepping from the same script. Enter Zelaina, a £650,000 breeze-up buy who dazzled on debut in the very same Nottingham maiden – and now finds herself fast-tracked to Royal Ascot.
Wow!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) June 4, 2025
Zelaina (Mehmas) looks a very exciting filly and is set for Royal Ascot now after a fine debut for @karl_burke and Wathnan Racing at @NottsRacecourse pic.twitter.com/Vou7G1u7Ec
The formbook might read routine, but context gives it weight. Even-money favourite she may have been, but this wasn't the final draft – Burke had been cautious, flagging a missed ten days’ work and a question mark over fitness. In the end, Zelaina answered in bold type.
“She’s got an engine, that’s for sure,” said James Doyle, after guiding the filly to a smooth two-and-three-quarter-length success. “She actually surprised me out the gates – she took a few lengths without asking and just got into that big rhythm. She’s a bit fiery, but that’s not unusual for one this quick. There’s more to come once we smooth the edges.”
The performance – sharp from the gates, stylish in stride – was enough to catapult her to 4-1 t-favourite for the Queen Mary, alongside Lady Iman. And comparisons with Leovanni came thick and fast, not least from those in the saddle.
“She was probably more impressive than Leovanni on debut, if anything,” Doyle mused. “But we’d love to get her something to follow – easier said than done when she has that kind of speed.”
Burke, who also launched Bright Diamond to Group company from this same Nottingham maiden, was measured but bullish.
“She’s very fast – you saw that,” he said to Racing TV. “If it hadn’t been for that little hiccup, I’d have been disappointed with anything less than a win. She’ll come forward again – Leovanni was more mature, but this one’s not far behind. Just a bit more keen to get on with things.”
So as Ascot looms, it’s Zelaina who steals the headlines. Fast, raw, and rapidly improving – she’s put herself in the Queen Mary frame with the sort of debut that makes you take notice. Leovanni set the standard. Zelaina might just raise it.
Queen Mary Stakes
£150,000 guaranteed, 2yo only, 5f, Class 3
entries
Going:
QUEEN MARY STAKES WINNERS
YR/DATE GR WINNER TRAINER JOCKEY OWNER AGE/WGT SP
2024 2 LEOVANNI K R Burke James Doyle Wathnan Racing 2 9-02 22/1
2023 2 CRIMSON ADVOCATE George Weaver John R Velazquez 2 9-02 9/1
2022 2 DRAMATISED K R Burke Daniel Tudhope Clipper Logistics 2 9-02 5/2F
2021 2 QUICK SUZY Gavin Cromwell Gary Carroll Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners 2 9-00 8/1
2020 2 CAMLE Wesley Ward USA Frankie Dettori Stonestreet Stables LLC 2-9-00 9/2
2019 2 RAFFLE PRIZE Mark Johnston Frankie Dettori Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum 2-9-00 18/1
2018 2 SIGNORA CABELLO John Quinn Oisin Murphy Phoenix Thoroughbreds & Zen Racing 2-9-00 25/1
2017 2 HEARTACHE Clive Cox Adam Kirby The Hot To Trot Syndicate 2-9-00 5/1
2016 2 LADY AURELIA Wesley Ward USA Frankie Dettori Stonestreet Stables LLC/G Bolton/P Leidel 2-9-00 2/1F
2015 2 ACAPULCO Wesley Ward USA Ryan Moore Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor & Derrick Smith 2-9-00 5/2F
2014 2 ANTHEM ALEXANDER Edward Lynam IRE Pat Smullen Noel O’Callaghan 2-9-00 9/4F
2013 2 RIZEENA Clive Brittain James Doyle Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum 2-8-12 6/1
2012 2 CEILING KITTY Tom Dascombe Richard Kingscote Andrew Black & The Master Bettors 2-8-12 20/1
2011 2 BEST Richard Hannon snr Richard Hughes Robert Barnett 2-8-12 12/1
2010 2 MAQAASID John Gosden Richard Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 2-8-12 9/4F
2009 2 JEALOUS AGAIN Wesley Ward USA John Velazquez R Abrams, R Brewer, M Dutko, W Ward 2-8-12 13/2
2008 LANGS LASH Mick Quinlan Alan Munro John Hanly 2-8-12 25/1
2007 2 ELLETELLE Ger Lyons IRE Johnny Murtagh Jesse Club Syndicate 2-8-12 20/1
2006 2 GILDED Richard Hannon snr Richard Hughes Mrs J Wood 2-8-12 11/2
*2005 2 FLASHY WINGS Mick Channon Ted Durcan Jaber Abdullah 2-8-10 4/1JF
2004 2 DAMSON David Wachman IRE Jamie Spencer Sue Magnier & Michael Tabor 2-8-10 11/2JF
2003 3 ATTRACTION Mark Johnston Kevin Darley Duke of Roxburghe 2-8-10 13/8F
2002 3 ROMANTIC LIASON Brian Meehan Pat Eddery Con Wilson 2-8-08 16/1
2001 3 QUEEN’S LOGIC Mick Channon Steve Drowne Jaber Abdullah 2-8-08 13/2
2000 3 ROMANTIC MYTH Tim Easterby Kevin Darley Terry Holdcroft 2-8-06 4/1F
1999 3 SHINING HOUR Peter Chapple-Hyam Jimmy Fortune Robert Sangster 2-8-08 20/1
1998 3 BINT ALLAYL Mick Channon Frankie Dettori Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum 2-8-08 2/1F
1997 3 NADWAH Peter Walwyn Richard Hills Hamdan Al Maktoum 2-8-08 10/1
1996 3 DANCE PARADE Paul Cole Michael Kinane Prince Fahd Salman 2-8-08 8/1
1995 3 BLUE DUSTER David Loder Michael Kinane Sheikh Mohammed 2-8-08 7/4F
1994 3 GAY GALLANTA Michael Stoute Walter Swinburn Cheveley Park Stud 2-8-08 16/1
1993 3 RISKY Richard Hannon snr Walter Swinburn Roldvale Ltd 2-8-08 11/2
1992/ 3 LYRIC FANTASY Richard Hannon snr Michael Roberts Lord Carnarvon 2-8-08 11/8F
1991 3 MARLING Geoff Wragg Gary Carter Edmund Loder 2-8-08 11/4F
1990 3 ON TIPTOES Jim Leigh Dean McKeown John Rowles 2-8-08 8/1
1989 3 DEAD CERTAIN David Elsworth Steve Cauthen Commander Toby Marten 2-8-08 8/1
1988 3 GLORIELLA John McLaughlin IRE John Reid John McLaughlin 2-8-08 8/1
1987 3 PRINCESS ATHENA David Elsworth Willie Carson Henry Senn 2-8-08 9/1
1986 3 FOREST FLOWER Ian Balding Pat Eddery Paul Mellon 2-8-08 9/4JF
1985 3 GWYDION Henry Cecil Steve Cauthen Stavros Niarchos 2-8-08 2/1F
1984 3 HI-TECH GIRL Peter Makin Greville Starkey Intercraft 2-8-08 16/1
1983 2 NIGHT OF WIND Matt McCormack Bruce Raymond P Durkan 2-8-08 50/1
1982 2 WIDAAD Michael Stoute Walter Swinburn Maktoum Al Maktoum 2-8-08 13/8F
1981 2 FLY BABY Richard Hannon snr Paul Cook Malden Farms Ltd 2-8-08 40/1
1980 2 PUSHY Henry Cecil Joe Mercer Lord Tavistock 2-8-08 7/1
1979 2 ABEER Jeremy Tree Willie Carson Khalid Abdullah 2-8-08 7/1
1978 2 GREENLAND PARK William Hastings-Bass Harry White Greenland Park Ltd 2-8-08 15/2
1977 2 AMARANDA Harry Wragg Lester Piggott Budgie Moller 2-8-08 4/6F
