Juniper Berries recorded a first Listed win in the Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury on Thursday.
The Expert Eye filly, who was well-beaten behind the re-opposing Miaharris in the Listed St Hugh's Stakes at Newbury on her previous start, out-ran odds of 16/1 to secure the prize. It was heartbreak for the consistent Dorothy Lawrence, who made every yard of the running, as Juniper Berries came with a late run under Charlie Bishop to win by a short head. Favourite Soprano ran well to finish third after rearing in the stalls.
A debut winner at Bath, Juniper Berries finished fourth in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot but has been unable to secure a placing at Listed level or above in three starts since. It was her first attempt over six furlongs.
"I thought the step up to six [furlongs] would help, I thought the firm ground would help," said trainer Eve Johnson Houghton.
"She's been running over five in soft ground and she deserved this, every time she ran at Newbury she never got any cover.
"We knew she had an amazing turn of foot, but it was just getting her to use it at the right time.
"We all made a plan, the owners and I, that we'd drop her in and if she didn't get there on time then she didn't get there on time.
"The last thing we wanted to do was get there too early and stop, she has a wicked turn of foot but it's not a very long turn of foot.
"I'm thrilled. Look at the size of her, she does herself really well and she's on the grow again I think.
"She'll be a lovely filly for next year and they've [the owners]got the stud, so it's great for them. What a star. Good old Junie, we love her!"
