Horse Racing
Moonrise set Sirenia task after bypassing York
Andrew Balding has backed Moonrise to shine once again when she attempts to enhance her growing reputation in the William Hill Sirenia Stakes at Kempton Park on Saturday.
A winner of the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot in late July, the emergence of softer ground has prevented her climbing up the ladder since, but she now looks to add a second Group Three success to her CV in a race where she sets a clear form standard.
Balding said: “We’re a bit concerned about her being as effective on slower ground so we gave the Lowther a miss and she’s coming here.
“She has to carry a penalty, but she’s a high-class filly and although she’s drawn a bit wide I would hope she’s got the speed and class to overcome that.
“The Princess Margaret at Ascot was a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders’ Cup and that could come on the agenda at some stage, but we’ll first see how she gets on at Kempton.”
Richard Hughes’ Agamemnon and Hugo Palmer’s Adaay Of Scarlett finished fourth and fifth respectively in the Gimcrack Stakes at York and both bring a wealth of experience to the table, especially the latter who has continually hit the frame at the major summer festivals.
Simon and Ed Crisford will saddle two, with Tawakal narrowly failing to back up an impressive Nottingham debut win at Newmarket last month but losing little in defeat, while stablemate
Social Symbol saw the form of his Deauville third to Drazinda given a timely boost by Francis-Henri Graffard’s youngster at ParisLongchamp on Thursday.
Still in the early stages of her career is George Scott’s Efsixteen, who made a winning introduction on the Rowley Mile in May but her lack of experience told at crucial moments when fourth in a Newbury Listed event recently.
Eager to find out more about the 350,000 guineas buy, Scott said: “She’s only run twice and if I’m being honest I would have loved to have got her on some fast turf.
“Six furlongs at Kempton is going to stretch her stamina a little bit, but she’s a filly who doesn’t want soft ground and this was the obvious spot with so few other options and it will give us a good indication of where we need to point in the future.
“We’ll learn plenty about her and she was still learning on the job at Newbury, she was a little far back and rusty. I think we’ll see what calibre she is on Saturday.”
Harry Eustace’s Shimmering Sun was disappointing in the Lowther but brings some smart previous form to the table, while Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Nicely was a head to the good over Marco Botti’s Bated Benevolence at Chester 14 days ago and the duo do battle once again.
