Monday 6th July 2009
Habaayib on track for Group 2 task
Royal Ascot heroine Habaayib bids to enhance her reputation with victory in the £80,000 Group Two Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Cherry Hinton Stakes (2.35pm) over six furlongs at Newmarket on Wednesday, 8th July, day one of the Champagne Lanson July Festival.
Ed Dunlop’s charge saw off Lillie Langtry to win the Group Three Albany Stakes over the distance at Royal Ascot on 19th June.
The trainer said: "She was impressive at Ascot and we were obviously delighted with how well she performed. She seems to have come out of that race well and we are happy with her.
"I was also pleased to see the form stacking up with Jira - who was seventh in the Albany - subsequently winning a competitive Listed race at Newmarket.
"Hopefully Habaayib will run another big race on Wednesday. She is suited by top of the ground so we wouldn't want too much rain. If the ground was to go on the soft side of good, there would have to be a doubt about whether she would run."
A total of 10 horses are set to contest the prestigious race for juvenile fillies, including the second, third and fourth home in the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Clive Brittain-trained Misheer came out best of that trio, followed by the Bryan Smart-trained Ceedwell and Capercaillie from the Mark Johnston-yard.
The Richard Hannon-trained Crown was eighth that day, while the Tim Easterby-trained Little Scotland was fourth in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Andrew Balding saddled Swan Wings to an impressive maiden victory at Salisbury on 24th June. The field also includes Hairspray, Lady Darshaan and Raddy ‘ell Pauline.
The three-day Champagne Lanson July Festival commences with a fantastic seven-race card on Wednesday, 8th July, with the feature contest of the day being the £200,000 Group One Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes (3.10pm).
The prestigious mile contest brings together eight of the best fillies and mares in Europe, including the brilliant French raider Goldikova. The Freddie Head-trained four-year-old capped a fantastic 2008 campaign with victory in the Grade One Breeders’ Cup Mile at Santa Anita in November.
Spacious gave trainer James Fanshawe and owners Cheveley Park Stud a Royal Ascot victory last month when defeating Heaven Sent (also owned by Cheveley Park Stud) in the Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes. The last-named, trained by Sir Michael Stoute is out to avenge that length defeat.
Rainbow View was sensational last season when crowned champion juvenile filly. She bids for a first success of the current campaign after staying on to take third in the Group One Coronation Stakes at the Royal Meeting last month. Her trainer, John Gosden, is also responsible for Cosmopolitan, successful in a handicap over the course and distance on 20th June.
Penny’s Gift brings Classic-winning form to the table, having landed the Group Two German 1,000 Guineas for trainer Richard Hannon, while the Mick Channon-trained Eva’s Request was third to Spacious at Royal Ascot. Group Three winner San Sicharia represents Ireland and trainer Joanna Morgan.
