Racing Centre

Two of the world’s leading milers are set to lock horns in a top-class renewal of the Group One UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Wednesday, July 9 - the opening day of the Ritz Club July Festival.

Star New Zealand mare Seachange and crack French filly Darjina are both being aimed at the £200,000 mile contest on The July Course.

Seachange also holds the option of contesting the £400,000 Group One Darley July Cup (3.10pm) over six furlongs on Friday, July 11, but trainer Graeme Sanders is favouring a return to a mile after the Cape Cross six-year-old finished 12th on her British debut in the Golden Jubilee Stakes over the sprint distance at Royal Ascot.

Victorious seven times at Group One level from six furlongs to a mile in her homeland, Seachange will bid to become the first Kiwi-trained winner at Newmarket’s Ritz Club July Festival, which runs for three days from Wednesday, July 9, to Friday, July 11.

Sanders revealed this morning: "We’ll go for the Falmouth Stakes - that’s the plan at this stage. We are going to leave her in the July Cup in the meantime and then make a final decision, but it looks like the Falmouth Stakes is the best way to go with her.

"It’s a stiff six here so that wouldn’t be a concern with regard to the July Cup but we know the mile is ideal for her.

"She’s come through her Ascot race well and I’m pretty happy with her. We just hope it stays dry now because she’s got to have that firm ground."

French trainer Alain de Royer Dupre also plans to run Darjina in the UAE Hydra Properties Falmouth Stakes and is confident of another top-class effort from the four-year-old following her tremendous runner-up finish in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Darjina, already a Classic-winning triple Group One winner in France, has proven herself to be one of the best fillies in the world over a mile and was beaten only a head by the former Australian champion Haradasun in the Group One contest at the Royal Meeting.

De Royer Dupre revealed today: "Darjina returned home after Ascot and has been playful and full of life. She seems to be very well. She certainly looks well, so if there’s no problem with her, then the plan is to take her to Newmarket for the Falmouth Stakes.

"I am delighted with the way she ran at Ascot. She ran very well against a very good colt and there was nothing between them.”