Ascot trainer Paul Jordan has Passion Cantata right on course for the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) at Ascot next month.

Passion Cantata (3f Oratorio – Sanabresa by Scenic) booked her ticket for the $200,000 feature for fillies on November 17 with a determined victory in the Tony Oreb Hcp (1200m) at Belmont last Saturday.

She faced the breeze and refused to lie down when challenged by Bippo No Bungus (Dubawi) in the straight.  “The only time she’s been unplaced was in the Magic Millions and she got galloped on that day,” Jordan said.  “I was going to run her against the colts in the Belgravia Stakes next week but we pulled the right rein by starting today.”

Jordan sent Passion Cantata down to Southern River for a quick break straight after the win and she will return home for a final lead-up to the Champion Fillies in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) on November 3.

Mungrup Stud sire Oratorio (Aus) already has a Burgess Queen scalp to his credit thanks to 2009 winner Clueless Angel.

Passion Cantata cost $80,000 from Toreby Park at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions.  “She’s beautifully balanced and I thought she was the best filly at the sale,” Jordan said.  “But it took ages to sell her.  I was still offering shares after she won first-up at Ascot earlier this year!

“I think she will get a mile in the Champion Fillies.  Her dam is by Scenic and she’s a real fighter.”

Sanabresa had produced three winners from three foals by Oratorio.  The mare boards at Mungrup and she has a 2yo filly by Danehill Express and has just foaled a first-crop colt by Red Hot Choice.

– Karl Patterson

PASSION CANTATA
Oratorio filly returns to scale at Belmont