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Cumani out to double up in DFS Park Hill Stakes

3 minute read

Koora is bidding to provide trainer Luca Cumani with back-to-back wins in the Group Two DFS Park Hill Stakes (3.05pm) at Doncaster on DFS Ladies' Day, Thursday, September 10.

The Newmarket handler took the £90,000 prize with another homebred Silk Sari in 2014, who spread-eagled her rivals to win by five lengths.

Koora is set to tackle the mile, six furlong and 132 yard trip for the first time and was last seen out when second to Martlet in the Listed Galtres Stakes over 12 furlongs at York on August 20.

The lightly-raced three-year-old daughter of Pivotal, who is half-sister to 2001 Ladbrokes St Leger hero Milan, had previously broke her maiden at the second attempt in an extended 10-furlong Doncaster maiden on August 1.

Cumani said: "I am happy with Koora and she goes to Doncaster in excellent form on the back of a promising run at York.


"It is always an imponderable when you step up in grade and trip, but she is an improving filly who is bred to stay and we are hopeful."

Koora's 12 rivals are led by Godolphin's Hidden Gold (Saeed bin Suroor/James Doyle), who produced a career best last time out when third to Max Dynamite in the two-mile Group Two Lonsdale Cup at York on August 21.

Gretchen (John Gosden/Robert Havlin) and Asyad (Sir Michael Stoute/Frankie Dettori) renew rivalries after finishing first and third respectively in the Listed Chalice Stakes over 12 furlongs at Newmarket on August 1.

Other notable contenders include Ebor fourth Toe The Line (John Kiely), Group Two Goodwood Cup fourth Vive Ma Fille (Mark Johnston) and Arabian Comet (William Haggas/Andrea Atzeni).

Last year's decisive winner Kiyoshi (Charlie Hills/Andrea Atzeni) is among 20 declarations for the £60,000 Group Three Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes (2.30pm) over seven furlongs.

Irish challenger Majestic Queen (Tracy Collins/James Doyle) will have to concede upwards of 3lb to her rivals after winning a Group Three in May, while there is dual French representation, courtesy of Listed scorer Pearly Steph (Freddy Head/Aurelien Lemaitre) and Penmaen (John Hammond/Dane O'Neill).

Other eye-catchers include York winner Fadhayyil (Barry Hills/Paul Hanagan) and Mistrusting (Charlie Appleby/William Buick), plus the lightly-raced Lady Correspondent (John Gosden/Frankie Dettori).

Twin Sails (Dean Ivory/Robert Winston) tops 22 two-year-olds chasing the lucrative Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes (3.40pm) over an extended six furlongs.

Racing gets underway at 1.55pm with the £40,000 British Stallion Studs 'Carrie Red' EBF Fillies' Nursery (20 runners) and finishes at 6.00pm.