Goodwood's May Festival
gets underway on Thursday, May 23, with the fillies taking centre stage in the
£40,000 Height Of Fashion Stakes (3.45pm), which has attracted 11 runners.
The Listed contest, run
over just shy of 10 furlongs, has proven a springboard for future stars since
being introduced in 2007, with Royal Ascot winners Michita and
Moneycantbuymelove featuring in the roll of honour along with dual Classic
winner Snow Fairy.
This year's renewal
features several unexposed fillies including the Mick Channon-trained Contradict,
who bids for a quick return to the winner's enclosure after posting an
impressive six-length success in a 10-furlong fillies' handicap at Salisbury on
May 16.
The daughter of Raven's
Pass, who was bred by her owner Prince A A Faisal, stayed on well to take third
in a handicap, run over the course and distance of the Height Of Fashion
Stakes, at Goodwood's opening Saturday fixture on May 4.
Ted Voute, racing and
bloodstock manager to Prince Faisal, commented: "We were very pleased with
Contradict's victory at Salisbury last week. Mick is always bounding with
enthusiasm and he was very sweet on her beforehand, but it's nice when they go
and do it on the racecourse.
"She is a slight
filly, who probably doesn't take a lot of racing, but we saw this race as a
good opportunity to get some black type. She's rated 81 and deserves her chance
in a Listed contest.
"She was with Sir
Michael Stoute last year and was placed a few times for him before coming back
to our stud. She had a stomach ulcer over the winter but we had it treated and
I think that's part of the reason for her improvement so far this season.
"We have always felt
that she could win a race and getting black type would be a bonus. She ran well
over the course and distance at the start of the month and we are hopeful that
she can make the frame."
Elik, from the stable of Sir
Michael Stoute, was an unlucky fourth in the Listed Cheshire Oaks, while Irish
trainer Ger Lyons sends over Harmonic Note, who was also fourth in
Listed company on her latest start.
The in-form trainer/jockey
combination of Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes are represented by Heading
North, who was second to leading Investec Oaks contender Liber Nauticus in
a mile maiden at Goodwood in September.
Valtina, who made a winning debut
for William Haggas at Haydock in April, aims to bounce back from a
disappointing recent run in a Newbury Listed contest while John Gosden has
declared Trapeze, who was runner-up in a mile fillies' handicap at
Goodwood on May 9.
The line-up is completed
by Contradict's stable companion Harbinger Lass, Of Course Darling (Ed
Dunlop), Glenreef (Mark Johnston), High Time Too (Hugo Palmer)
and Starlight Symphony (Eve Johnson Houghton).
Thursday's card also
features the £20,000 Wright Joinery Company Handicap (3.10pm) and a field of 10
for the seven-furlong contest includes Chandlery, who won the Group Two
Veuve Clicquot Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in 2011. Other contenders
include Betfair Summer Double International Heritage Handicap winner Field
Of Dream and course specialist The Confessor.
Future QIPCO 1000 Guineas
heroine Sky Lantern made a winning debut in the £6,000 British Stallion Studs
Supporting British Racing EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (2.00pm, nine runners)
last season. Her trainer Richard Hannon saddles the unraced pair of Mildenhall
and Royal Connection this year.
Goodwood maiden winner Zamoyski
heads eight runners for the £10,000 Winner Plant UK Handicap (2.35pm),
while talented stayers Montaff and Cosimo De Medici are among a
field of 14 for the day's longest race, the £10,000 Hippo Handicap (4.20pm)
over two miles. The racing action is completed by the £5,000 Construction
Raceday Apprentice Handicap (4.55pm, 13 runners).
The three-day May Festival
at Goodwood continues on Friday, May 24 and Saturday, May 25.
Ground
The going at Goodwood
remains good.
Clerk of the course Seamus
Buckley reported today: "There was some drizzle around this morning which
was expected and it is currently dry and overcast, which means the ground is
not drying out.
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