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Recent Lingfield Park winner Modernstone is set to try and continue her excellent form at the Surrey course in the £37,000 Listed coral.co.uk Winter Derby Trial on Saturday, February 22
The 10-furlong contest is a Fast-Track Qualifier for the £200,000 Coral Easter Classic over the same distance on £1-million All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Lingfield Park on Good Friday, April 18.
Modernstone, trained by William Knight, posted a comfortable success over Castilo Del Diablo in a 12-furlong conditions race on January 17 and previously went down by a neck, when carrying 2lb overweight, to the same horse in a handicap over the same course and distance on January 4.
The four-year-old daughter of Duke Of Marmalade also captured a 12-furlong handicap at Lingfield Park in December and finished fourth to stable companion Aussie Reigns in the Listed £500 Free Bets At Betdaq Wild Flower Stakes, also over a mile and a half, at Kempton Park in November.
Modernstone races in the colours of Biddestone Racing, with 20 partners sharing in the success of the filly's highly productive winter campaign. The filly is already qualified for the Coral Easter Classic, having run at least three times on the All-Weather since October 26, and her rating of 98 is at the moment good enough to get her a run in the maximum 14-runner race on Good Friday.
Matt Budden of Biddestone Racing commented: "We have been delighted with the progress of Modernstone over the winter. Everyone involved has had a lot of fun with her and there has been some great prize money on offer as well.
"We are happy to keep going back to Lingfield Park and the plan is for her to return to the course for the Winter Derby Trial next month (February 22). She is progressing well and we are keen to try and get some black type with her.
"We will think about giving her a break at some point and coming back for the turf season but we are keen to exploit the opportunities we have at the moment and will consider Finals Day.
"She seems to travel well in her races and I think that she will be fine with the return to a mile and a quarter. Andrea Atzeni feels that she is showing more speed in each of her races and we certainly get the impression from him that she will be well suited by the drop in trip.
"She had a hold up last season and wasn't able to race until October. Having these opportunities over the winter mean that she is able to enjoy a full campaign. It is very good that there are these races for quality horses like her, who might have been put away by now for the turf season.
"The partners in her syndicate couldn't be happier and are delighted with the performances she has put up. They are braving the elements and enjoying the races."
