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Salisbury host an exciting seven-race card on Thursday which includes the 6f Group 3 Dick Poole Stakes (3:40) for juvenile fillies.
The Owen Burrows-trained Miaharris may prove tough to beat in her quest to retain an unbeaten record. The Zoustar filly was a comfortable three-and-a-quarter length winner on debut at Sandown Park and followed up with a hard-fought victory at Newbury, despite facing numerous issues in-running. She was forced to switch left with a furlong to run and made up significant ground in the closing stages, eventually denying the re-opposing Majestic Beauty by a head. Although the dam An Ghalanta was a Listed winner over five furlongs, Miaharris' half-sister Bletchley finished runner-up in the six-furlong Group 3 Albany Stakes, so the step up to this trip is not out of the question.
At the current prices, George Boughey's Soprano (5/1) appeals as a filly with plenty of big race experience. A debut winner at Newmarket's Rowley Mile, she has placed in some of the top juvenile filly races this season including a third in the Group 3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and a second in the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes over seven furlongs. Although the daughter of Starspangledbanner was well-beaten by Fallen Angel in the Sweet Solera, she was always keen and shaped as though the return to six furlongs would be ideal. She has first-time tongue-tie applied and Ryan Moore booked to ride, which can only be seen as a positive.
WIN: SOPRANO
Cambridge must be noted in the 1m Class 4 1m Byerley Stud Novice Stakes (2:40) as a rare runner at Salisbury for trainer Aidan O'Brien. The colt is out of Listed placed mare Amerique and a half-brother to Maqsad, who was successful in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket over ten furlongs. On pedigree, stamina should not pose an issue for the son of Dubawi, with his only previous start coming over seven-and-a-half furlongs at Roscommon. It was a muddling race, with jockey Seamie Heffernan later reporting to the steward's that there was a delay in the stalls opening. Cambridge was very green in the first half of the contest and made late headway to finish third, although he never troubled the two-and-three-quarter length winner Beauty Thunder. The colt is entitled to improve for the run and can break through for a maiden victory.
WIN: CAMBRIDGE
The Ralph Beckett-trained Skellet has an enviable pedigree and makes her second start in the 7f Class 2 Bob MccreeryMemorial British EBF Quidhampton Maiden Fillies' Stakes (3:10). A daughter of Kingman, the filly is a half-sister to leading juvenile filly and Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes winner Skitter Skatter. Although dam Dane Street's peak performances on the racetrack came over ten furlongs, her offspring have proved best over seven furlongs and Skelletseemed to enjoy the distance when fourth at Sandown Park. She found herself short of room with two furlongs to run but made up late ground and was only beaten one length behind the winner Royal Supremacy. Although difficult to judge the form (none of the top three horses have run again since), she appeared the eye-catcher of the field and is expected to come forward for the experience.
WIN: SKELLET
RACING & SPORTS SELECTIONS
RACE 1: ANGLO SAXSON
RACE 2: CAMBRIDGE
RACE 3: SKELLET
RACE 4: SOPRANO
RACE 5: JUMBEAU
RACE 6: JUST BRING IT
RACE 7: LE MANS
