Agrotera and Jamie Spencer after their Royal Ascot win
Agrotera and Jamie Spencer after their Royal Ascot win

Royal Ascot winner Agrotera set for rise in grade


Agrotera could step up to Listed class at Haydock later this summer following her impressive victory at Royal Ascot.

The Mastercraftsman filly was a well-backed favourite to follow up her maiden victory at Windsor in Friday's Sandringham Stakes and came from last to first under a copybook ride from Jamie Spencer.

Trainer Ed Walker feels his charge will benefit from a short break and sees the Listed Dick Hern Stakes at Haydock on August 11 as an ideal target.

"You have to savour those days and those moments, so we're making the most of it," the Lambourn handler told At The Races.

"With Royal Ascot, you go there thinking you've got half a chance and you're going to get absolutely thumped. I'd say this was the first time we'd taken a horse and been really confident of being bang there in the mix.

"We've always thought she was a nice filly and when we were given a mark of 88, I was worried we weren't going to get into the Sandringham. I actually spoke to the handicapper about whether we would go up a pound or two. Just on her formlines, I thought she had quite a lenient mark.

"We'll go straight into stakes company now and hopefully try to enhance her pedigree.

"I've pencilled in the Dick Hern, which is a mile fillies' Listed race at Haydock in the middle of August, just to give her a bit of time to get over Ascot.

"I know she won well, but you don't have easy races at Royal Ascot."

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