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George Boughey’s talented filly Soprano will bid to gain a first Group-race success in the Ire-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury on Thursday.
Following a commanding debut success at Newmarket in May, the daughter of Starspangledbanner was set the task of running in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and she emerged with plenty of credit after a promising third-place finish.
Subsequent placed efforts in the Star Stakes at Sandown in July and the Sweet Solera at Newmarket (July) last month confirmed her initial promise but connections will be hoping for a first Group-race success at Salisbury on Thursday.
Highclere's managing director, Harry Herbert, said: "She seems in great shape after Newmarket. She ran a very good race that day and was just beaten by a better filly [Fallen Angel] on the day,"
"She's working very well, and Ryan Moore can ride her so it's all systems go.
"I think a stiff six furlongs will really suit her and she's got a wonderful action the filly, so she should really lap up the ground.
"All these races are pretty hot, but we go there thinking that she'll be pretty competitive."
Soprano will have to get the better of the unbeaten Miaharris, who looked value for more than the narrow winning margin in Listed company at Newbury last time if she is to gain a first Group success.
Miaharris' trainer Owen Burrows said: "We're very happy with her and it looked as though she would appreciate the step up to six from her last run, so we'll see.
"I wouldn't mind having been drawn in a little bit more, but it is what it is [stall 15].
"I'm not concerned about the ground really. She handled ground on the easy side of good at Newbury and it was similar at Sandown, I think. It's going to be a bit quicker at Salisbury, but I don't have any worries about that.
"She's always looked a talented filly. She was bought with Royal Ascot in mind, but as a typical breeze-up filly she just fell apart a bit and fair to play to the owner [Olly Harris] who has been very patient. Fingers crossed he's going to reap the benefits now."
Clive Cox saddles a three-pronged attack with his Lowther Stakes third Symbology helping set the standard.
The Hungerford-based trainer said: "I was really pleased with Symbology in the Lowther, and I think she's still progressing.
"It was a very pleasing effort at York, and she's come back well from there, hence the reason she's turning out again on Thursday, and she'll appreciate the dry conditions."
Miaharris currently heads the betting at 5/2 with Paddy Power, while both Soprano and Symbology are next in at the 5/1 mark.
