- By batavia
- On Nov 07, 2019
Sky Sports Writers Gina Bryce gives her verdict on the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
With two Classic winners already on the roster of honor in this Group 1 finale into the seven-race Fillies and Mares category, the 2019 renewal could see a third sign Dancing Rain and Simple Verse with 2 Oaks winners comprising at a standout edition of this precious contest.
John Gosden has enjoyed a stellar season thanks in no small part and its no real surprise to see three runners attribute by Clarehaven headlined Anapurna, by his two Oaks winners and Star Catcher.
Star Catcher who reduced the colours of this Anapurna in the Prix Vermeille but that will face a harder task this time against the following winner of the Prix de Royallieu has been opted for by his big race president Frankie Dettori.
Throw in four Aidan runners, Ballydoyle are trying to finish the hat-trick at the race, and an unexposed mud-loving wildcard in Antonia De Vega and the race is shaping up to be an absolute cracker.
An winner of the Epsom Oaks in June, the Vintage winner of Gosden returned by a break from the Vermeille to complete before getting her season back on course from the Group 1 Prix Royallieu on Arc weekend well beaten with her own stablemate Star Catcher.
Given a race commanding ride in front underneath Dettori she left all, showing courage and tenacity to continue in conditions over the trip.
Stamina will soon be a useful asset come on prediction ground that is comparable. Yet, reports of her in also the fact Frankie and also her coat dominates her could temper enthusiasm.
A lightly-raced three-year-old from the steady of 2015 winner Simple Verse, this daughter of Lope De Vega lost her unbeaten juvenile record when fracturing a pastern from the Fillies Mile however proved she kept all her ability when returning with an outstanding win at The level at Newbury at June.
Before being withdrawn due to the ground touted for its Irish Oaks, she hasnt yet been seen since. Her ability to take care of states that are bottomless, combined with reports of a gratifying recent racecourse gallop, mark her down as a fascinating competition.
Constant performer who has mixed it at the highest level to follow house Tarnawa and Anapurna this year, smart. Yet to win anything apart from her however, along with a step forward would be required to see up her notch another career success.
Placings and early-season claim in both Oaks were the points of a season for Pink Dogwood. Questions after completing nicely to answer defeated on begins in Prix de lOpera and the Prix Vermeille.
The top light amongst John Gosdens remarkable armoury of three-year-old fillies, this daughter of Sea The Stars improved for the step up to 4f to stamp her authority in the Oaks and the Ribblesdale.
The Selection of Dettori additional the Prix Vermeille for her haul for the time last time and with proved ability, stamina and her health to handle conditions that were soft she should prove a tough nut to crack for possible rivals
This race was won by dermot Weld with Sapphire from 2012 and this daughter of Shamardal tries to repeat the effort having also won the Group 3 Give Thanks Stakes at Cork en route to Ascot.
Things didnt go on her other trip to the UK at the Oaks but with had a break she has won her last 2, proving her versatility above various trips in the process and on any floor. She is a persistent filly who could spend the step required to take this for her master coach.
The race does not lack for power in depth in the verification stage and we ought to have a thrilling renewal of this showpiece event for mares and fillies. Whilst it is tough to find any chinks in the impressive armoury of favourite Star Catcher, in the event the probable bottomless conditions materialise it may be worthwhile siding with the fresh, unexposed ANTONIA DE VEGA that will relish the ground and could hand the wise Ralph Beckett receive his name on the roll of honour for another time.
Read more: sportsnewsstories.com
Leave a Message