Friday 10th August 2007
Cox’s leap of Faith
Don't Forget Faith aimed after Sweet Solera Stakes after maiden success on the July Course. Picture: Steven Cargill
TRAINER CLIVE Cox is hoping the decision to step Don’t Forget Faith up in class will reap dividends in the Skybet.Com Sweet Solera Stakes this Saturday.
The Victory Gallop filly showed bags of debut promise in a six-furlong maiden at Newmarket in late June when she recorded a narrow victory over subsequent Group 3 scorer Visit.
Now Lambourn-based Cox feels his charge is ready for the next test - a rise into Group 3 company over seven furlongs.
The race usually contains some ultra-talented types and recent winners include Soviet Song, Maids Causeway and Nasheej. This year’s eight-strong renewal is again likely to contain a top-class prospect or two select and Cox is anticipating a high-quality contest.
He said: “Undoubtedly, the Sweet Solera is a hot race and I don’t expect it to be easy. I think that stepping up a furlong will help her - she will probably even stay a mile this year.”
“We were delighted with her debut and the form has worked out exceptionally well with the second filly going on to win the Princess Margaret. She (Don’t’ Forget Faith) has won her maiden but now she has got to take the next step and I really hope that she’s capable of doing it.”
Cox feels that the ground is a bit of an unknown as it is likely to be much quicker than when she prevailed first time out. But he adds: “I don’t think it will be an inconvenience - she is a very light-actioned filly.”
Local trainer Jeremy Noseda sends Albany Stakes third Baffled, who ran poorly in a novices’ race at Ascot last time out.
Noseda said: “I’d be inclined to forgive Baffled her run at Ascot last time as I felt the ground was a little bit loose. It looks likely that we’ll have quick ground at Newmarket and that will suit ideally. I’m looking for her to return to the form of her Ascot third in the Albany.”
Listed winner Sweepstake is another with strong form to her name, while - as well as Don’t Forget Faith - talented maiden winners Albabilia, Gone Fast and Queen Scarlet are worthy of respect.
By Tony Rushmer
