Kalpana set for a crucial test at Kempton's Unibet September Stakes, eyeing a strong prep run for Qipco British Champions Day against seasoned competitors like Haggas' Hamish.
Kalpana will test her Qipco British Champions Day credentials at Kempton when she contests the Unibet September Stakes on Saturday.
Andrew Balding's three-year-old filly has built an impressive CV since her debut victory at Wolverhampton in January, with notable wins at Newmarket and in Listed company at Hamilton.
With an entry for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot on October 19, this race is seen as the ideal preparation for her first taste of Group One action, facing experienced competitors in the Group Three event.
𝐊𝐚𝐥𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐚, third in the Ribblesdale last time, storms to Listed glory in the @BritishEBF Glasgow Stakes @HamiltonParkRC 👀
Could the Yorkshire Oaks @yorkracecourse be next? 🤔@JuddmonteFarms | @AndrewBalding2 pic.twitter.com/lyhxVfEtWZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 19, 2024
'She's in good shape and with a view towards the fillies' and mares' race at Ascot on Champions Day, we thought this would be a good prep run,' said Barry Mahon, European racing manager for owners Juddmonte.
'She looked great at Hamilton last time and this race serves as a stepping-stone. If she performs well, we'll aim for Ascot.'
One notable competitor is William Haggas' eight-year-old Hamish, who, despite his age, has won five times in the past two years and was a close second in Epsom's Coronation Cup.
Owned by Haggas' father, Brian, Hamish has won 11 of his 21 career starts, including this race in 2021. Haggas sees this as an opportunity to rebound from a disappointing show at Newmarket in the Princess of Wales's Stakes.
Haggas said: 'I would prefer to run him on soft turf at Ascot, Salisbury, or Newbury, but there wasn't a race available, so we opted for the all-weather. Hopefully, he'll handle it fine though he prefers softer ground.
'It was a bit chaotic at Newmarket last time. They split into two groups, and the two outsiders led him. Tom (Marquand) realized he was in the wrong place about two furlongs up the straight. It just didn't work, it was a mistake.
'This race presents a good opportunity if he's at his best.'
The Gosden operation has been dominant in this contest over recent years, with notable winners like Jack Hobbs (2015), Enable (2018 and 2020), and Mostahdaf (2022) all claiming this prize for Clarehaven in the past decade.
This time, it is Lion's Pride and God's Window representing the John and Thady Gosden team, with the former boasting some impressive track form.
George Baker's Cemhaan is another Kempton specialist. He carried top-weight to victory in the Rosebery Handicap in the spring and has won three times at Sunbury.
Third in the Aston Park Stakes on turf this summer, Cemhaan returns to his favored all-weather surface, reuniting with jockey Neil Callan.
'He's returning to the scene of his fantastic Rosebery win in the spring, and we're in good shape,' said Baker.
'Neil Callan is back aboard; he gave him a superb ride that day. The competition includes strong horses like Hamish, making the race highly competitive. However, we know Cemhaan thrives at Kempton, and he looked good during last week's work there.
'We're optimistic and hope he can challenge some of the big names.'
Rounding out the field are Brian Ellison's Northumberland Plate winner Onesmoothoperator and Hugo Palmer's Under The Sun.
