High hopes for Adrian Keatley-trained Sirenia winner in Newbury feature.
Adrian Keatley is confident that Symbol of Strength has what it takes to be part of a real thriller when he lines up in the Dubai Duty-Free Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. The colt, by Kodiac, has already demonstrated that he has the talent this season, and Keatley says that his young charge's experience of running in top-quality races will not go amiss as he makes his steps into the Group Two contest. Simply a Group Three winner in the Sirenia Stakes at Kempton, Symbol Of Strength runs fresh, and it'll be fascinating to see whether the improvement back on turf is just a step up the right track or if it's genuinely a step forward for him.
Symbol of Strength has made his progress since his debut last season at Hawridge Hall. Back from a successful second outing at Ayr in July, he caught a glimpse of the racing world's attention when he came third as a long shot at 80-1 in the Gimcrack Stakes at York. His performance in the Gimcrack was far from a fluke, proving grit and quality by sealing a victory in the Sirenia Stakes two weeks ago. Keatley now feels that the colt is good to go for this latest challenge. "He's in great nick and came out of his last race well," the North Yorkshire-based trainer said. "We're very happy with him at home, and we feel the track will suit him."
✅ Big drift✅ No problem✅ Gimcrack third Symbol Of Strength (5/2) wins the G3 Sirenia @adrian_keatley | @TomMarquand | @kemptonparkrace | @UnibetRacing pic.twitter.com/XYtFl3DVzZ
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 7, 2024
As Keatley prepares the Symbol of Strength for the Mill Reef Stakes, he is being quite optimistic about the ground at Newbury. "Hopefully, the ground stays good," he said, referencing possible weather conditions for race day. Notwithstanding that, Keatley believes his colt can run well, citing Symbol of Strength's previous performances at this level. "We have had two preparatory runs at this grade, and we got piloted by a neck in the Gimcrack before winning last time out, so we are very hopeful of a big run.".
Symbol of Strength will face stiff competition in Berkshire, not least from Gimcrack runner-up Shadow of Light. Trained by Charlie Appleby, Shadow of Light has been impressive in his relatively short career, winning on his first two starts before finishing a close second at York. Appleby remains confident ahead of this Saturday's race, admitting that his colt has progressed much better since the Gimcrack. "This looks like another competitive event, but our horse appears to have come forward since York, and if the ground is on the slower side, it shouldn't be an inconvenience," Appleby said. Many share his optimism, as Shadow of Light is one of the favourites to carry the Mill Reef crown.
Powerful Glory is in the Richard Fahey camp. The promising two-year-old left everyone with an unforgettable impression when debuting at Pontefract last month, as he justified his odds-on favoritism for a comfortable victory. He has quite a few credentials to build big and make a serious impression in this Group Two contest. "He's highly progressive," said Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum's racing manager, Bruce Raymond, about Powerful Glory. "His form hasn't worked out much, but he's a lovely horse, and I think he could go pretty close," remarked Raymond.
Not to be overlooked is Jack Channon's Sarab Star. The outsider is likely to have support, but Channon's colt did win on his debut at Salisbury, and his handler is hopeful he can repeat the feat. "He was very confident going to Salisbury, and I think he can improve a bit and has got a nice outside chance," said Raymond, feeling he could be upset. Of all the intriguing storylines as the Mill Reef Stakes approaches, one of the more interesting is that of Brian. A bargain-buy by trainer Sylvester Kirk, he has had a fine season and, at present, has been savouring every moment of it. Brian has already broken his maiden over this course and distance and added a useful Newmarket sales race to his record
Brian returns the winner of the GBP 100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes at @NewmarketRace for owners Mr T Lock & Partner, trainer Sylvester Kirk and pilot @liamkeniry.
This year's #TattsSomerville Yearling Sale is just 🔟 days away! pic.twitter.com/NT01JjuNXS
— Tattersalls (@Tattersalls1766) August 24, 2024
Although he finished third in the Chesham Stakes and the Sirenia, Kirk's team believed they should pay the £5,000 supplement to give Brian a crack at the Mill Reef. "We're looking forward to it," said Kirk with a wide smile. "It's a proper race, one of the best to win as a two-year-old, and he's certainly had enough experience."The Mill Reef Stakes certainly should make for an extremely dramatic field with talented rising stars, and trainers will eagerly await the moment they can get their colts ready for this exciting event. Nevertheless, it is the Symbol Of Strength, Shadow Of Light, and the rest of the crop that will catch people's attention as they attempt to go well and be the first to cross that finish line.
