- Sire-Dam -
- Owner
- Trainer
David Menuisier had never had an Ascot winner of any description before this year’s QIPCO British Champions Day and described the track as his “nemesis” in the build-up.
It may be his favourite racecourse now, though, because his stable star Wonderful Tonight shone in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes. After hitting the front about three furlongs out she kept on strongly to win by two-and-a-half lengths from Dame Malliott.
WONDERFUL TONIGHT lands a first British Group 1 for @DavidMenuisier in the Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes under a great ride by William Buick ?#ChampionsDay pic.twitter.com/ThBmCEWTn3
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) October 17, 2020
Wonderful Tonight had landed the Group 1 Qatar Prix De Royallieu over almost 1m6f at Longchamp just a fortnight before having also won a Group 3 over 1m4f Deauville earlier in her campaign.
All four of her career wins have been achieved on soft or heavy ground, and she’s clearly a potent force when the going is deep. However, it’s too early to determine how vital underfoot conditions are to her, with Menuisier believing it is not a big factor.
The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is a long-term target for Wonderful Tonight but there will be plenty of time to see her in QIPCO British Champions Series races before then. The King George VI And Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes seems a logical target, especially now that her trainer’s Ascot hoodoo is over.
