Fact-finding mission for Stream

John Hammond sends Sweet Stream from France for the Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster tomorrow – a trip which could open up some exciting plans for the mare.

The Chantilly handler is considering the Emirates Melbourne Cup in November for Sweet Stream, but needs to find out if she will stay the distance by trying her over an extended mile and six furlongs.

A versatile type who won last season’s Prix Vermeille, the five-year-old was also fourth in the Hong Kong Vase but only returned this season in mid-August, where she narrowly landed a 10-furlong Group Three at Deauville.

Hammond said: “She seems fine. I was very happy with her run at Deauville, as she had been off with a hairline fracture.

“We will find out tomorrow if she stays, but one of the main reasons for running her over the distance is to see if she could get the trip for the Melbourne Cup. We will know a lot more tomorrow.”

A field of 11 is set to line up for the Group Two contest, often referred to as the ‘fillies St Leger’.

Yorkshire Oaks winner Punctilious and the first two from last month’s Galtres Stakes, John Oxx’s Kastoria and the Michael Jarvis-trained Albahja, also take their chances.

Another to line up is Thakafaat, who was most progressive during the first part of the season, culminating in her short-head defeat of Twyla Tharp in the Ribblesdale Stakes at the Royal meeting.

But John Dunlop’s filly is now on something of a retrieval mission after being well beaten in the Irish Oaks and connections are worried about the fast going at Doncaster.

Dunlop’s assistant Marcus Hosgood said: “Thakafaat is in good order but would appreciate easier ground. She ought to stay, but the ground is the main concern.”

Autumn Wealth, Light Of Morn, Mazuna, Art Eyes, Miss Particular and Songerie complete the field.