Miracles set to make all
Polly’s Mark finished comfortably clear of the other pair, when proving no match whatsoever for easy winner Eastern Aria, and though Motrice might have some claims to reversing the form and boasts place prospects at a decent price, it’d be disappointing were any of the three capable of getting their heads in front today.
Wild Coco, a hat-trick seeking stable companion of Sussex Stakes winner Frankel, will be sent off favourite — and probably deservedly so. The three-year-old made her racecourse debut in May but has developed into a really smart lady. The official distance was only half a length when she got the better of one of today’s rivals, Meeznah, in a listed race at Haydock last time out but she was value for more than the winning margin and has more scope for improvement than has the runner-up.
The concern with her is that that race was run in pretty demanding conditions and it was only 12 days ago. Following fillies in form is usually a good ploy but I just wonder if she’s had enough time to recover for this race. Today’s race is run over a couple of furlongs further than she’s raced before, and is sure to be run at a strong gallop from the outset. She’s not a copper-bottomed stayer and will have to be at her very best to beat some useful fillies.
Field Of Miracles will be at the forefront of the action from the off. John Gosden’s filly ran a superb race when just touched off by Banimpire in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.
From a poor draw she had to work hard to get to the front early on that occasion but she gave everything when challenged by the eventual winner. She was coming back at Banimpire all the way to the line and all indications are that she should stay the extra two furlongs.
When beaten by Zain Al Boldan on her previous outing, she also signalled that stamina and not speed was her forte.
She likes to make the running and the greatest anxiety for her connections will come early. Bramalea, who has no conceivable chance, may want her turn at making the pace and that could unsettle Field Of Miracles.
That said, the last-named is a vastly superior animal and should stamp her class on proceedings from the outset. She’ll be the one they have to go and pick up and, tough as teak and still open to improvement, she can make all to score for King George-winning combination William Buick and John Gosden.
In the Audi King George Stakes, over five furlongs, Kingsgate Native has a chance to earn a visit to the winner’s enclosure for the first time in over a year. The sharp sprint track here suits his style — he won this in 2009 and ran-up behind Fleeting Spirit in the Molecomb Stakes in 2007 — and he could be value at around 13-2.
Manighar, who runs in the Goodwood Cup, came close to getting the nap selection given that he has performed well here in the past and, after fading out of contention in the Ascot Gold Cup won by Fame And Glory, he should relish the drop back to two miles.
He’s yet to record a victory in Britain, which is a minor concern, but he’s still quite lightly raced and should run a big race for Luca Cumani, who’s been known to collect valuable prizes at this Festival. After getting Red Duke into all sorts of trouble yesterday afternoon, Kieren Fallon owes us one and he should go close on Manighar.
