Sunday, August 13, 2006

HILLS MULLS totesport.com SOVEREIGN STAKES OPTION FOR ISLANDER - KAHLUA KISS ON COURSE FOR LISTED EBF UPAVON STAKES

Run over one mile and open to three-year-olds and upwards, the totesport.com Sovereign Stakes is the most valuable race run at Salisbury, and this year’s renewal has attracted 20 entries, including the John Hills-trained Dark Islander.

The three-year-old Singspiel colt, who won at the corresponding fixture a year ago, has developed into a high-class performer this season, landing a valuable mile handicap at Newmarket’s July Festival on his penultimate start when beating subsequent winners Dunelight and Charlie Cool, and finishing a close fourth to fellow entry Prince Of Light in the Listed Thoroughbred Stakes over a mile at Goodwood on August 5.

John Hills explained: “I’ve been very happy with the horse since Goodwood and he’s in good nick. There aren’t that many options for him and I’m taking a watching brief. He’s a possible runner at this moment in time.

“At Goodwood, I just felt they took his finish away from him - they jumped and then they slowed the pace, and he was too keen for his own good. He’s inexperienced and still got a lot of growing up to do.

“I wanted to run the horse in the totesport Mile at Goodwood but he got balloted out, which is unfortunate, because they went a fast pace there, which is what he wants.

“He likes fast ground and he’d have a decent chance if he turns out.”

Other entries for the totesport.com Sovereign Stakes include the John Dunlop-trained Jedburgh, second to Iffraaj in the Group Two Betfair Cup at Goodwood, New Seeker, trained by Clive Cox, who finished third in last year’s race, the Barry Hills-trained pair of Killybegs and Dabbers Ridge, and the Godolphin duo Belenus and Satchem.

Layman posted an impressive two-length victory over Jack Sullivan for Godolphin last year, Norse Dancer pipped Lucky Story by a short-head in a thrilling finish in 2004 while Passing Glance did the same to 2002 hero Priors Lodge in another superb encounter a year earlier.


The highlight on Wednesday, August 16, is the £42,000 European Breeders’ Fund Upavon Fillies Stakes, a Listed contest for fillies and mares run over just short of 10 furlongs, and William Muir’s rapidly improving three-year-old Kahlua Kiss is among the 17 entries.

The daughter of Mister Baileys has won three of her last four starts in handicap company, and on her latest outing was very impressive when scoring a decisive five-length victory from Mistress Twister over an extended 10 furlongs at York on July 29.

Muir reported: ”I like the look of the EBF Upavon Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury and there’s no reason why Kahlua Kiss shouldn’t take her chance.

“She’ll love the quick ground, is in great form and has improved again from her last run. She looks great and is definitely progressing and going the right way. I’m very pleased with her.

“This year she has really matured and is getting better as the year goes on. I was absolutely delighted with how she won last time, but I always felt she was capable of producing that kind of performance, because she’s always been a very decent filly.

“In time she will get further but at the moment there’s no need to step her up because she’s doing everything you want at a mile and a quarter. If she runs, she must have a big shout.”

The opposition could include the Godolphin pair of Pictavia and Reunite plus Princess Nada, trained by Luca Cumani, while Viapervita is entered for German-based trainer Hans Blume.

Last year’s race went to the William Jarvis-trained La Persiana, who held off the late challenge of Bon Nuit to score by half a length in a close finish, while previous winners include Chorist in 2002, later successful in the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, and New Morning in 2004, a future Group Three scorer.

The six-race card on Wednesday, August 16, begins at 2.30pm with the £7,500 Carmen Wines EBF Maiden Stakes over six furlongs, followed by the £6,000 Castlepoint Shopping Park, A3060 Bournemouth Nursery Handicap (3.00pm) over seven furlongs. The £10,000 Goldring Security Services Pembroke Cup Handicap over a mile (3.30pm), £6,000 Manor Farm Meats Handicap (4.30pm) over 10 furlongs and £6,000 Play Free & Win Cash At 123racing.com Fillies’ Handicap (5.00pm) over six furlongs complete the first day action.

Racing on day two, Thursday, August 17, starts at 2.30pm with the £6,000 Stella Artois Maiden Auctions Stakes over seven furlongs. The £8,500 Mary Wort Memorial Maiden Stakes over seven furlongs follows at 3.05pm, with the £12,000 EBF Fillies’ Handicap over 12 furlongs at 3.40pm and £6,000 Blackthorn Cider Handicap over 14 furlongs at 4.50pm. The day closes with the £6,000 Axminster Carpets Apprentice Handicap over seven furlongs at 5.20pm.

Jeremy Martin, Salisbury’s Clerk of the Course, commented: “The totesport.com Sovereign Stakes is only in its third year with Group Three status, but has done very well during that period and is a well-established prize.

“The total prize fund has increased by £10,000 this year to £70,000, making it one of the richest Group Three contests in the calendar.

“We have seen some high class winners of the race such as Layman, Norse Dancer and Passing Glance, and look forward to another top quality renewal this year.

“The European Breeders’ Fund Upavon Fillies Stakes is a valuable Listed event which has been won by the likes of New Morning and Chorist in recent times, and this year’s contest looks as strong as ever.”

A giant screen will show the racing action on both days and there will be entertainment for children.

Admission prices are £18 Members’ Enclosure, £11 Tattersalls Enclosure and £6 Course Enclosure. Accompanied children under 16 gain free entry and free car parking is available.

William Hill Steamers

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