Tim Easterby's stable star Winter Power made a less than impressive start to his season finishing eighth of 10 in the Group Two Temple Stakes, but the Yorkshire handler is still positive on the filly's chances at Royal Ascot.
Winter Power has been a superstar for the yard over the last few seasons, really coming to life at the back end of the 2020 season when landing a quick-fire double at Ayr on Newmarket.
She picked up from where she left off last term on her seasonal debut when bolting up in the Listed Westow Stakes over 5f at York.
Thrown straight into the deep end next time out she was did too much early on in the Group One King's Stands Stakes and ultimately faded late on.
Looking to bounce back to form she headed back to York over the Nunthorpe course and distance in the Listed City Walls takes and again gave a dominant performance to win well.
Wow!
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 20, 2021
The filly Winter Power blasts her rivals in the @coolmorestud Nunthorpe Stakes for @EasterbyTim, @SilvDSousa and King Power Racing 👏 @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/ruUYBOpAbx
Five furlongs at York seems to be her playground and she proved that when landing the first Group One of her career when taking out the Nunthorpe in classy style.
Looking to land two more Group One races at the back end of last season she was below par in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh and then at Longchamp in the Prix de l'Abbaye.
Having not managed to come back to the best of her form at the weekend Easterby is still optimistic she can have a big season and he is certain she will strip much fitter for that outing.
(Credit ATR) Easterby said:“She’s fine. She’s come out of it sound and well.
“She just had a blow and needed the race, but she seems all right.
“That (King’s Stand) is the idea.”
Asked if the filly could run again before Ascot, Easterby added: “I wouldn’t have thought so, but you never know.”