3 minute read
The six-furlong Cheveley Park Stakes, held at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile, is the final opportunity for Group 1 success over a sprint distance for juvenile fillies in the season and has often produced future stars.
Bought by Wathnan Racing in the past fortnight, the unbeaten Jasna's Secret is an interesting contender, especially as Christophe Soumillon has given up an undoubtedly strong book of rides at Longchamp to ride her.
Trained in France by Carlos and Yann Lerner, the filly has raced exclusively over the straight six furlongs at Deauvillle, recording an easy three-length success in the valuable Criterium d'Ete conditions race in mid-August. Although the filly has ability, she has not been exposed to a big field (raced in eight and six runner contests) and her inexperience could be a negative.
In contrast, Soprano and Porta Fortuna have run in all the big juvenile races this season. George Boughey's Soprano is yet to break through at Listed or Group level, but it is not through a lack of effort.
She has bumped into some excellent fillies over the course of the season, finishing placed behind Porta Fortuna (Group 3 Albany Stakes), Shuwari (Listed Star Stakes) and Fallen Angel (Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes).
George Boughey appeared to have found an ideal opportunity to achieve valuable Black Type in the Listed Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes at the start of the season, but Soprano as the stalls opened and was forced to make up a considerable amount of ground to finish third.
The daughter of Starspangledbanner has been consistent throughout the season, and this could be her chance to break through at the highest level.
Joseph O'Brien's Porta Fortuna remained unbeaten after her first three starts, including a victory in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Connections made the unusual move to pitch the filly in against the colts in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh in August and she performed admirably, finishing a well-beaten second behind Bucanero Fuerte.
The daughter of Caravaggio stepped up to seven furlongs for the first time when third in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes and although she appeared to stay, a return to a sharper trip is expected to suit.
Aidan O'Brien has won the Cheveley Park four times from the last seven renewals and is doubly represented by Cherry Blossom and Pearls And Rubies.
Cherry Blossom backs up quickly following her second in the Goffs Million at the Curragh on Sunday whilst Pearls and Rubies will be looking to get back on track following some disappointing efforts in Group company.
The drop back to six furlongs could spark improvement from the daughter of No Nay Never, and her current price of 33/1 is appealing if she can bounce back to the form of her Group 3 Anglesey Stakes second earlier in the season.
WIN: SOPRANO
PLACE: PEARLS AND RUBIES
