Step back up in distance expected to suit in-form four-year-old.
As the four-year-old filly Scenic gets ready to compete in the Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes at Doncaster this Thursday, Ed Walker has big expectations for her. Scenic has had a mixed season, winning on her Kempton debut in the spring. She has proven to be resilient and determined, coming back from more difficult results to earn a chance at Group Two glory.
Daughter of the great Lope De Vega, Scenic had her early troubles in Listed at Pontefract and a Group Three at Haydock. But her Deauville performance in July was a turning moment. She was stepped up to a difficult distance of just shy of two miles there, and she came in third, barely a neck behind the champion, narrowly missing victory. When Scenic made her way back to the Knavesmire for the Galtres Stakes last month, she showed off her increasing self-assurance. She overcame a slow start and surged home for a resounding victory, which now gives her the opportunity to compete in one of the festival's most prominent events.
Well-named…
Very plesant viewing here as Scenic glides into contention and runs away with the GBP 100,000 @BritishEBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes.
A day to remember on the Knavesmire for @edwalkerracing! @yorkracecourse pic.twitter.com/GSo7977EhD
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) August 22, 2024
Walker remarked, "She's in good nick," noting that although the race is a little earlier than planned, her health is encouraging. "She looks fantastic, and I believe that going back up to one mile and six furlongs will benefit her more than going a mile and a half. It's quite thrilling. For this crucial race, Oisin Murphy will be replaced by Tom Marquand, who will ride Night Sparkle for Andrew Balding. Walker said of Murphy's prior Scenic ride, "He was very patient, and they went very hard," in a positive light. We'll see, but I think she was a little flattered. She is going to run her race.
The race is made more interesting by Murphy's decision to ride Night Sparkle, a horse with a patchy performance record. Night Sparkle has shown potential this season, even after a lacklustre performance in this event last year. She placed second in the Coral Marathon and the Lillie Langtry Stakes and fourth behind Vauban in the York Lonsdale Cup. Murphy said, "I felt I hit the front a bit too soon at York, and she's been training really well." She is one of the best-rated horses, so this seems like a good opportunity for her. Winning on Night Sparkle would mean a lot to me.
Apart from Scenic and Night Sparkle, Hughie Morrison's trained Mistral Star also makes an appearance in the race following a strong fourth place finish in the Yorkshire Oaks. In an attempt to capitalise on her advantages, Morrison has decided to step her up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time. Morrison commented, "Hopefully we've got a good chance. She didn't like the ground at Ayr, and she was unlucky at Haydock earlier in the year." However, she did well at Newmarket and ran nicely at York
Defending her title, Sumo Sam, trained by Paul and Oliver Cole, will also be competing, although the conditions are expected to be less testing than last season. “We’re going to look at the ground in the morning and see if it’s alright for her. If it’s not, we’ll go to Salisbury on Friday. She’s in amazing form,” said Oliver Cole, demonstrating their cautious yet optimistic approach.
Last but not least, Oxford Comma, who is owned by Ralph Beckett, is a strong candidate who is improving in class after winning back-to-back novice races earlier in the campaign. Though cautiously optimistic, Alex Elliott, racing adviser for Ballylinch Stud and Valmont, said, "It will be a big ask for her jumping up in grade, but she's a filly we really like." Next year, we believe she'll be even more talented. On Thursday, we shall learn a little bit more about her.
Oxford Comma darts through the centre, bolting past her rivals to score convincingly at @DoncasterRaces!@HectorCrouch | @RalphBeckett pic.twitter.com/LZui4z7Sq9
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) June 16, 2024
As excitement for the Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes grows, it looks like a thrilling display of skill, drive, and the unwavering spirit of the horse athletes. The race is expected to be the high point of the St Leger Festival, capturing the emotion and drama that make horse racing such a popular pastime. Each horse is expected to carry the dreams of their connections.
