Anisette brilliant in G1 Del Mar Oaks

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Anisette, a private purchase out of Britain late last year in conjunction with Aron Wellman, made it three out of three in spectacular style for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners on Saturday when the brilliant winner of the G1 Del Mar Oaks.

Returning after an impressive win in the G2 San Clemente Stakes for trainer Leonard Powell, Anisette had to weave between horses from off the pace under jockey Umberto Rispoli before unleashing a dazzling turn of foot to burst clear for a near three-length win over Be Your Best.

“Her turn of foot made the difference at the top of the lane” said Leonard Powell. “I didn’t think we’d be so far back, especially with a half mile in :47, but she was good enough to overcome that and close the ground.

“Umberto Rispoli kept his cool; we got a dream run on the rail and he had the horse to do it. She’s the goods.

“She’s been very straightforward since we got her. She’s like a little moped. You can put her wherever you want. She’s got a great quality in that she’s got two or three moves in a race, not only one move. That’s a great help for a jockey.”

“I knew I was on the best filly and that helped me ride her the way I did,” said Umberto Rispoli. “I thought about going outside and I knew the pace wasn’t in my favour. But then things opened a bit inside and I went.”

He added: “I had a good feeling when I rode her in the San Clemente, and I knew wherever I could be today, it wouldn’t be an issue. Sometimes you think it’s better to be close or midpack. Today she was a little bit on her toes, and she broke out of the gate like a real miler. That’s why I decided to take her back, and she switched off right away.”

 

Anisette was purchased privately after breaking her maiden for Kevin Philippart de Foy at Wolverhampton in late December. She is now the winner of four of six starts for close to $350,000 in earnings.

The Awtaad filly was bred by the Morera Partnership, in whose colours she won at Wolverhampton, and is out of Tutti Frutti, a Teofilo half-sister to the Group 1 Nassau Stakes winner Soft Centre.

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