3.00 Newmarket (July)
Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes (British Champions' Series)
(Fillies' Group 1) (Class 1) (3YO plus)
Winner £90,736
Pick: Saphresa (win)
Antara: Made perfect start for Godolphin when winning Group
3 contest last year and went on to run with credit in better company (twice
runner up in Group 1 company) afterwards; Back at that level when winning same
race again and should make a bold bid.
First City: Would have a squeak on her best form, which
includes a Group 3 second to progressive sort at Goodwood last season and once
again strong at finish when threatening Antara in Group 3 first time out;
Better again in Windsor Forest but no wins for a long time now.
I’m A Dreamer: Won first three on bounce last year before
performing admirably when upped in class; Hugely improved and deeply impressive
when coming from last – to first in Dahila Stakes but ran flat in Windsor
Castle Stakes; More needed although stable hopeful she can bounce back.
Lily Of The Valley: Had sensational spell last year,
culminating 5 – timer with win over top class stablemate in Prix L’Opera on Arc
day; Reappearance forgiven but may be best over a longer trip.
River Jetez: Top globetrotting mare who arguably ran career
best when going down by only half a length to Presvis in Dubai Duty Free and
Gitano Hernando in Singapore Airlines International Cup; Drop back to plain
mile (no wins at distance) is a poser for her chances but should run a bold
race.
Saphresa: Developed into top class miler and unlucky not to
again Asian Group 1 win in two tries last year, having previously taken Sun
Chariot Stakes for second year running; Scarcely believable how she hacked all
over quality opposition down at 7 furlongs (runner up has won since) on
reappearance and should make a strong challenge.
Timepiece: Had difficulty proving her reputation at the
beginning of last season but really came good as year went on, winning the
Sandringham Handicap & and Newmarket listed event (all – aged against
males) in good style; Creditable/Promising return when third to Midday at York
followed up by two lesser efforts (even when winning) since and mile may be too
short for her now.
Joviality: Only lost out for lack of experience when third
in Newmarket maiden and good return when only losing out to a previous winner
in Naqshabban at Sandown; Just mastered Barefoot Lady in Musidora and while her
Coronation Stakes sixth does not read well at face value, forcing the pace
won’t have helped; Others proffered.
Maqaasid: Showed immense promise on debut and realized that
very quickly when winning Queen Mary Stakes in course record time, but failed
to build on that as 2; Trained on in no uncertain terms this season, bettering
her trial third when filling same position in 1,000 Guineas (could have gotten
better trip); Never in contention thanks to draw in French Guineas and can go
better here.
Masaya: Winner of big pot in sales race last season but not
proven upto tougher tasks this year, well beaten on all three starts; Step up
to a mile potential problematic and not good enough.
Memory: Seemed set to be champion juvenile for most of last
season, beating quality Albany field and overcoming adverse passage to take
Cherry Hinton Stakes with ease; Disappointment in Moygalre Stakes (never really
in it) & major temperament issue when she planted herself in stalls at
Newmarket; Started on way back when seventh in Coronation Stakes but yet to
answer questions posed by last 3 defeats.
VERDICT: Plenty of top international talent for a good
renewal. The betting’s dominated by older horses but three year olds have taken
4 of the last 5 runnings. The older brigade look far stronger this time round
though, with SAPHRESA taken to land a third Group 1 win in the UK following her
Sun Chariot double. River Jetez and Lilly Of The Valley might want further although both would be huge players if able to bring their best to the mile, and
best of the three year old’s might be Maqaasid with Memory still having it all
to prove.
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