Cecil targeting HQ prizes
Wednesday 23rd May, 2007
Trainer Henry Cecil (right) pictured with jockey Richard Hughes. Picture: Mandy Davis
HENRY CECIL takes the wraps off his juvenile team for the opening card of Newmarket’s three-day fixture (May 25-27).
The Warren Place trainer has made a sparkling start to the 2007 campaign with Passage Of Time and Light Shift having already registered Pattern victories.
Friday, May 25 will see Cecil send out his first two-year-old runner of the term with Dea Caelestis primed to take her racetrack bow in the European Breeders’ Fund race for maiden fillies.
A daughter of Dream Well, she will be ridden by Ted Durcan and compete against nine rivals. Cecil assessed: “She should run a nice race and improve from it.”
Newmarket-based Cecil is poised for a busy weekend at his local track with Many Volumes likely to tackle the onerailway.com Fairway Stakes on Saturday, while stable-mate Lady Lily is scheduled to have a crack at the Coral Sprint (heritage handicap). Danehill Dancer colt Unnefer could make his debut in the EBF maiden for juveniles on Saturday.
Cecil said: “We are bringing Many Volumes back to a mile-and-a-quarter. I felt he did not get the trip in the Lingfield Derby Trial (May 12), finishing fourth. Lady Lily is in good form and I am hoping she will run well.”
The end of the following week will see Cecil gunning for an eighth Oaks crown at Epsom. Fellow trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam is also eying glory on the Downs - in the Derby with Authorized.
But before that he is set to have a couple of ‘live’ chances at Newmarket on Saturday. Tariq, who didn’t enjoy the smoothest passage in the French 2000 Guineas, comes back in trip for the Darian Homes King Charles II Stakes - a Listed contest staged over seven furlongs.
Chapple-Hyam commented: “I just hope he gets the seven furlongs. If he does, he will go very close as he is in the best form I’ve had him this year. A touch of rain would be to his advantage.” The same remark would apply to the Chapple-Hyam-trained Sandrey, who has the Coral Sprint on his agenda.
Sunday’s card features two £18,000-guaranteed handicaps, while the knight frank.co.uk Maiden is sure to be an intriguing two-year-old event over the minimum trip. The meeting gets underway on Friday at 2.20pm.