Thursday 6th August 2009
Jira to bid for second July Course win
CLIVE Brittain is hoping that Jira can provide him with a second success in three years in the £50,000 Group 3 skybet.com Sweet Solera Stakes (3.00pm) at Newmarket on Saturday, 8th August.
Jira is one of 10 classy fillies declared today for Saturday’s seven-furlong contest that is the highlight of a quality eight-race card at Newmarket .
The Medicean filly will be seeking a second triumph at Newmarket ’s July Course, having won the Listed Sunley Empress Stakes over six furlongs on 27th June. Jira followed that with a staying-on fourth to Lady Of The Desert over the same distance in the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot last month.
Brittain, who saddled Albabilia to victory in the race two years ago, revealed today: “Jira has come out of the Ascot race well and she looks as if she has a really good chance on Saturday.
“The problem at Ascot was that the six furlongs was a little bit too short for her, so the step up to seven furlongs makes sense and should be ideal.
“It should be good ground there but if any rain were to fall, that wouldn’t bother her at all.”
Fellow Newmarket trainer David Lanigan is seeking a first Group race triumph in only his second season training, with Admire The View flying the flag for his Revida Place stable.
The Dubawi filly built on an encouraging debut effort to win a Thirsk maiden over the distance by seven lengths on 24th July.
Lanigan said: “She is fit and well after her last run. It’s a big step up to Group Three from a Thirsk maiden but the handicapper has forced my hand a little bit. She’s not a big filly and would have to be giving weight to colts in a nursery off her mark of 87 and, as there are no suitable Listed races around, we’re letting her take her chance on Saturday.
“There are a couple of smart looking fillies in the race but she’s fit and genuine, so it makes sense to test her rather than leave her standing in her box.
“They have good ground at the moment, which is ideal, but it was on the soft side of good when she won at Thirsk so I would have no worries if there was any rain.”
