An EBF fillies' maiden over 6f.
Sir Michael Stoute has run only four two-year-olds this season and Apace could follow the trend of sending out another winner on its second start. Owned by Cheveley Park Stud, cost 350,000gns as a yearling, ridden by Ryan Moore - ticks in all the right boxes. This fillie by Oasis Dream needed the experience on debut when finishing 4th at 9/2. After a bright start, she was held up off the pace and then found all manner of problems in running before sprinting to the line. The general level of the form is nothing special but there will be much more to come today with fitness and experience on side. A beautifully bred two-year-old and attractive filly, Apace will take some beating here.
Unless there is something of a surprise, there look to be three main contenders. The two form horses - Freckenham and Spennymoor - need to raise their game.
The former, trained by Bell, hasn't looked the most willing of candidates and Turner has needed to bustle along this filly by Exceed And Excell on both starts and although she has run on it all seems rather laboured. With experience, this two-year-old will progress and on this turning track Turner will need to sit handy as Freckenham looks the type to be outpaced. Ideally 7f would probably suit.
Spennymoor was second string when a moderate 5th to the impressive winner Sweet Cecily. A daughter of Exceed And Excel costing 120,000gns as a foal, she is rather a small filly. Mahmood Al Zarooni has done well with many of his string on their second start so it wouldn't be wise to completely rule out this runner although a fair amount of improvement is needed to get competitive here.
One of the most interesting runners is the debutante Formidable Girl. A $100,000 yearling and already entered for the Lowther Stakes (Group 2), this American-bred filly by Roman Ruler could well be a two-year-old held in high regard by the Ryan Stable. Owner Mike McGeever similarly entered Raddy 'Ell Pauline in last year's contest when finishing down the field at York. Ryan is a talented trainer and his juveniles can win on debut although his strike rate is nothing out of the ordinary. The majority of his debutante winners are price 7/1 and less. Formidable Girl is certainly one of the more interesting juveniles for this race but will need to be a talent to beat Apace. This turning track is not ideal when racing against experienced opposition and if connections rate this youngster they are unlikely to knock her about to win on her racecourse bow and for that reason will need to be blessed with an abundance of natural ability.
Other races:
2:20 Catterick
6:50 Kempton
7:20 Kempton
