Appearance claims Canterbury Stakes in style

Winning the G2 Expressway Stakes and the G2 Apollo Stakes at her first two starts of her current campaign, not even a slight set back could halt the autumn preparation of five-year-old Commands mare Appearance as she contested the G1 Canterbury Stakes.

With her third-up form always being her best, Appearance settled at the back of the field, while her paternal half-brother Rain Affair (Commands) ensured that pace was on from the start, at some stages more than six lengths ahead of the rest of field.

As they rounded the home turn and the runs started to come, jockey Kerrin McEvoy urged his mare to the outside of the field and she sprinted with ease, gathering in the front runners and pulling away for an impressive length-and-a-quarter victory, recording her ninth career win, and fourth at G1 level.

Bred by Darley, Appearance is out of the Grand Lodge mare Disguise, making her a full-sister to the Stakes winner Mascareri. Disguise has a two-year-old full-sister to Appearance named Commanding Secret and yearling filly by Domesday.

With no other progeny of Commands having won four individual G1 races, Appearance is one of 61 Stakes winners for her sire, highlighted by nine G1 winners which includes Epaulette, Purple, Skilled and Commanding Jewel.

Commands has a draft of 10 yearlings for the forthcoming Inglis Easter Yearling Sale that commences on April 8.