Multiple Listed winner Soft Whisper continued as she finished 2022, posting a determined victory over stable companion White Moonlight in the inaugural Ipi Tombe Stakes at Meydan on Friday. Both Saeed bin Suroor-trained mares were prominent from the outset of the 1400m turf conditions contest, with White Moonlight establishing a two length advantage over Soft Whisper after breaking smartly.
Soft Whisper loomed up to press her stablemate a furlong and a half out and opened up a slender lead soon after. White Moonlight rallied strongly but could not get back on terms as Soft Whisper held on for a neck verdict under Danny Tudhope.
FILLY 'LOOKS MUCH BETTER'
Saeed bin Suroor said: “Soft Whisper won well. She always tries and I think 7f is her best trip. “The filly has improved physically and looks much better this season than she did out here last year. That can happen sometimes with fillies, so we took her back to England and looked after her, with the target of running in Dubai this season.
KEEPING THE FAITH
“White Moonlight is a nice filly and we like her. She had problems in the past, but she is a big, strong filly who is doing really well. We have faith in her for the future.” Danny Tudhope added: “Soft Whisper has proved to be a good filly and she turned up today, which was the main thing. “The race went smoothly.
The other horse went out in front and I just took back off her so I could get my filly relaxed. We had the run of the race and she travelled into it well. “She is a good workhorse in the morning and it is great that she showed that today.” The 5yo homebred daughter of Dubawi won thrice in Britain on her return to Europe, twice in Listed company including her final outing of 2022, at Ascot on the first day of October.
