Hollie Doyle has made her pick for Thursday’s big race at Doncaster, and she’s backing Owen Burrows’ filly Waardah to land the Betfred Park Hill Fillies’ Stakes.
The Group Two contest, known as the Fillies’ Leger, is one of the highlights of the opening day of the Betfred St Leger Festival. Doyle, writing for Sky Sports Racing, expects a competitive renewal but believes Waardah has the edge.
“She has run two big races in a light campaign in pattern company this year, including in the Group Two Lillie Langtry Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, only to pay the price for a touch of freshness early in the race – her first since May,” Doyle said.
Waardah’s Key Chance at Doncaster
Waardah has raced sparingly this season, with just two starts in pattern company. One of those came in the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood, where early freshness cost her.
Doyle thinks a first-time hood could make the difference. “With a hood fitted for the first time, she can prove too good for some classy types,” she said.
The main danger could be Fairy Glen. Simon and Ed Crisford’s mare shone at Meydan in the spring, winning the Dubai Gold Cup over two miles. That win came against Caballo De Mar, who is the probable favourite for Friday’s Doncaster Cup.
Fairy Glen has been off for four months, but Doyle does not see that as a problem. “Simon and Ed Crisford’s mare has proven form on the back of a break so shouldn’t be troubled by a four-month absence and her stamina beyond this extended mile-and-three-quarter trip is assured,” she said.
The race is scheduled for 3.00 on Thursday, with coverage live on Sky Sports Racing from 1.15pm.
Sea Of Rain Over Musical Times in May Hill
The other Group Two on the card is the Betfred May Hill Stakes at 3.35, and Doyle is taking on the favourite.
Godolphin’s Musical Times arrives unbeaten after two novice wins at Newmarket and Yarmouth. The daughter of Lope De Vega is being aimed at the Group One Fillies’ Mile, and she is a fascinating runner in this recognised Classic trial.
But Doyle has doubts. “However, she hasn’t beaten a lot at this stage so I’m taking her on with Irish raider Sea Of Rain, who has already proven herself at a high level with victory in a Group Three at the Curragh last time,” she said.
Sea Of Rain is trained by Jim Bolger. “Jim Bolger’s filly has plenty of experience and won’t mind a bit of cut in the ground,” Doyle added.
Night In Vegas Hard to Oppose
The Weatherbys £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at 1.50 is the big juvenile race of the day, and Doyle cannot look past the likely favourite.
“I just can’t see past the likely favourite Night In Vegas,” she said.
Eve Johnson Houghton’s colt carries a lofty rating of 102, yet he still gets weight from many of his closest rivals under the terms of the race. His form is strong, with a valuable auction race success at Newmarket last time, following a creditable third in the Group Two Richmond Stakes at Goodwood.
Doyle is also hoping her husband Tom Marquand goes well on William Haggas’s God Given Talent. That colt was unlucky in running when fourth in a hot nursery at York’s Ebor Festival, on his first start for the yard since leaving James Ferguson.
Satellite Of Love is another with a chance. Clive Cox’s colt, rated 91 like God Given Talent, was unbeaten in his first two starts before finishing fifth behind the Group One winner Sun Goddess in that York sales race.
| Runner | Trainer | Rating | Last Run |
|---|---|---|---|
| Night In Vegas | Eve Johnson Houghton | 102 | Won at Newmarket |
| God Given Talent | William Haggas | 91 | Fourth at York |
| Satellite Of Love | Clive Cox | 91 | Fifth at York |
Art Of Life for Nursery Success
The day’s opening race, the British Stallion Studs ‘Carrie Red’ EBF Fillies’ Nursery Handicap at 1.15, could go the way of a filly who has yet to win.
Art Of Life, trained by Clive Cox, has been unlucky to bump into promising types at Newbury. That includes a run behind Tom’s hot favourite Sweetwonderfulyou last time, when she was a shade too keen.
Doyle marginally prefers her to Richard Spencer’s likely favourite Speed Of Sound. “A lovely Sioux Nation filly who ran a stormer at the weights behind Sun Goddess in that valuable sales race at York,” Doyle said.
At a much bigger price, Richard Hannon’s Rollthedicebaby has talent. She finished in the pack behind Speed Of Sound at York, but she is off an easing mark and could get back on track.
King Of Earth Back in Handicap Grade
The Pertemps Network Handicap at 2.25 sees Tom Marquand and William Haggas team up with the one to beat.
King Of Earth impressed Doyle when taking a valuable Curragh handicap in the summer in first-time cheekpieces. His last run, in Group Three company at York, can be forgiven.
“Back in a handicap with the ground and a good draw in his favour, he can get quickly back on track at the possible expense of John and Thady Gosden’s Runman,” Doyle said.
Runman is an early days son of Frankel. He put a two-month break behind him to win over this trip at Newbury last time, and he looks well treated off just a three-pound higher mark.
- Waardah — Park Hill selection, first-time hood
- Sea Of Rain — May Hill pick over the favourite
- Night In Vegas — Sales race, hard to oppose
- Art Of Life — Nursery pick over the favourite Speed Of Sound
- King Of Earth — Handicap selection
The Betfred St Leger Festival runs from Thursday 10th to Sunday 13th September, with every race live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512). Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.
The big test comes on Thursday, when Waardah gets her chance to prove the verdict right.
Source: skysports.com
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