"Walker Backs Scenic as Top Contender for Park Hill"
Step back up in distance expected to suit in-form four-year-old.
Ed Walker is setting his sights on Group Two glory with his talented filly Scenic in the Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes at Doncaster on Thursday. The four-year-old, by Lope De Vega, began her season with a win at Kempton, though subsequent outings in a Group Three at Haydock and a Listed event at Pontefract were less successful. However, Scenic showed her potential with a solid third place at Deauville in July, narrowly missing out by a neck in a race over nearly two miles.
Scenic's return to a mile and a half at the Galtres Stakes on York's Knavesmire last month saw her surge to victory, demonstrating her ability to handle a fast pace. This performance has earned her a chance to compete at Group Two level during the St Leger Festival.
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 expressed optimism about Scenic’s chances: "She’s in great form, and while this race comes a bit sooner than we might have liked, she seems well and looks fantastic. I believe stepping back up to one mile six furlongs will actually suit her better than the mile and a half, so we’re excited."
Tom Marquand will take over the ride from Oisin Murphy, who now partners Night Sparkle for trainer Andrew Balding. Night Sparkle, who underperformed in this race last year on her debut for Balding, has since shown consistent form, including a second-place finish in the Coral Marathon and the Lillie Langtry Stakes, and a fourth in the Lonsdale Cup at York.
Murphy noted: "Night Sparkle has been training well, and although I thought I hit the front too soon at York last time, this looks like a good opportunity for her. Both Mistral Star and Scenic are strong competitors, but it would be special to win on Night Sparkle."
Hughie Morrison’s Mistral Star, who finished fourth in the Yorkshire Oaks at York, steps up to a mile and three-quarters for the first time. Morrison is hopeful about her staying power: "There are no Group races over a mile and a half at this time of year, so stepping up in trip seems sensible. She didn’t handle the ground at Ayr and was unlucky at Haydock earlier, but she’s been in good form."
Sumo Sam, trained by Paul and Oliver Cole, is the defending Park Hill champion but may not face the same testing conditions this year. Oliver Cole commented: "We’ll check the ground in the morning. If it's not suitable, we’ll consider Salisbury on Friday. She’s in amazing form."
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
Oxford Comma, trained by Ralph Beckett, is another intriguing contender. After winning back-to-back novice races at Salisbury and Doncaster, she steps up in class. Racing adviser Alex Elliott explained: "Her absence hasn’t been due to anything specific; it’s just been unfortunate timing. We think she’ll improve next year, but Thursday will be a significant test."
With a field of strong contenders, the Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes promises an exciting race, with each entry bringing their form and potential to the fore.
