15 go forward for the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes
Tuesday 2nd October, 2007
Speciosa still engaged for the Kingdom of Bahrain Stakes to be run on Saturday 6th October. Picture by Steve Cargill
The £185,000 Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes, the Group One highlight at Newmarket on Saturday, October 6, has 15 of the very best fillies and mares going forward at today’s five-day confirmation stage for the prestigious mile contest.
Speciosa and Finsceal Beo, successful in the Stan James 1000 Guineas in 2006 and 2007 respectively, are both still engaged, with Thorney-based trainer Pam Sly, looking forward to sending Speciosa back to the scene of her Classic triumph.
The Danehill Dancer filly is also entered at Longchamp, although Sly is leaning towards running her stable star to run in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.
Sly revealed today: "I’d like it if Speciosa ran at Newmarket in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.
"She’s entered in the Prix de L’Opera, but I’m hoping she will go to Newmarket because she does like it there. It’s a stiff mile with a good climb."
Speciosa has enjoyed remarkable success at the NatWest Rowley Mile. As a two-year-old, she triumphed in the Group Two Owen Brown Rockfel Stakes, while on her return to the course the following spring, she won the Shadwell Nell Gwyn Stakes en route to Classic success in the Stan James 1000 Guineas. Her seasonal reappearance this year saw the filly finish a gallant second behind the great Manduro in the Group Three Earl Of Sefton Stakes in April.
Despite not having won since her Guineas success, Speciosa has confirmed herself as a top-quality performer this season, twice finishing behind multiple Group One winner Peeping Fawn.
Sly continued: "She gave 12 pounds to Peeping Fawn when she was beaten two lengths into second by her (in the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh on June 30) and it was a very good run behind Manduro.
"We were unfortunate at Goodwood (in the Nassau Stakes on August 4); the ground was far too firm for her. It was disappointing for us. Hopefully, the ground on Saturday at Newmarket should be more suitable.
"She’s entered in the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes later this year, but that looks a bit competitive at the moment.
"Micky Fenton will ride her again."
Cheveley Park Stud have three to choose from in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes - Echelon, successful last month in the Group One Matron Stakes at Leopardstown, Heaven Sent and Nannina, winner of the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2006. Nannina has winning form over the course and distance, having taken the Group One Fillies’ Mile when it was run at Newmarket in 2005.
Adding further spice to this intriguing contest are the Jeremy Noseda-trained Simply Perfect, heroine of the Group One UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s Ritz Club July Festival. Simply Perfect could be joined by her stable companion Rahiyah, third in the French 1,000 Guineas earlier this season.