Charlie Fellowes double-handed for York’s Summer Stakes
It is Vadream who heads the market for the Newmarket trainer, having finished sixth in the 1000 Guineas and then third in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot – beaten just two lengths by Creative Force.
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Hide AdThe Brazen Beau filly was also a winner on her racecourse debut at Newcastle in November, over the six-furlong trip to which she returns today.
Fellowes has high hopes for both his contenders in an 11-strong field.
“It’s pretty hard to split the two of them if I’m honest,” he said. “Vadream ran a blinder at Ascot, and proved she handles the (softer) ground.
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Hide Ad“She travelled as well as anything in the race and we felt she emptied in the last half a furlong, so we don’t think the drop back to six will be a problem.”
Onassis made her seasonal debut at Royal Ascot when finishing 10th in the Group Two Duke Of Cambridge Stakes.
“Onassis ran a funny race at Ascot – I’ve never thought a mile was her trip,” added Fellowes. “She won the Sandringham (over a mile at Royal Ascot last year) but she was off a mark of 81 back then, (and) taking on Group Two fillies is a different kettle of fish.
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Hide Ad“She travelled like a dream that day. I believe she traded at a very short price in running, so she’s got tons of speed and was only beaten two and a half lengths in a Champions Sprint last year – if she produces that form again she’ll be very close.”
William Haggas’s Light Refrain, owned and bred by the Queen, is also well-fancied – having already gained Listed form over six furlongs when winning the Kilvington Stakes at Nottingham in May.
Dandalla represents trainer Karl Burke, with Declaring Love also lining up for John Butler. Final Song runs for Saeed Bin Suroor and Godolphin; Kevin Ryan runs both Last Empire and Dexter Belle, and Adrian Nicholls has Mo Celita in the hunt. Richard Fahey’s Ventura Diamond and Stuart Williams’s Queen Kahlua complete the line-up.