York Racecourse

Sprint ace 'Spirit' on course for York

TRAINER Jeremy Noseda today confirmed that Fleeting Spirit is very much on track to line up in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York on Friday, August 21. 

The flying four-year-old filly, owned by The Searchers Partnership, scorched to success in the Group 1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket last month.

Now Noseda is planning to drop her back to five furlongs for a crack at the £240,000 contest, the Group 1 feature of the final day of the Ebor Festival.

“Everything is on schedule for the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes,” said Newmarket-based Noseda this morning.

“She was a little bit sore after the Darley July Cup, so we gave her a bit of time off and she is in good order now.

“She worked last week and I was happy with her and she will work again on either this Friday or Saturday. So she is on course with her York preparations and, all being well, Tom Queally will once again ride her.

“My only concern, at this point, is getting quick ground on the day.”

Fleeting Spirit has proved herself a top-class filly on fast ground. Last year she sped to a scintillating triumph in the Group 2 Temple Stakes at Haydock before being laid low with sickness.

She has returned to her brilliant best in 2009 following a narrow defeat to Scenic Blast in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot with her exciting win in the Darley July Cup.

But that victory wasn’t without drama as she veered off a straight path – first left, then right – before coming home a length and a quarter ahead of Main Aim.

Noseda said: “She was unsuited by being in front for such a long time and just lost her concentration. But I think, for sure, it was a lifetime best from her. It was a great performance.”

The master of Shalfleet could have another Group 1 runner at the Ebor Festival with Forgotten Voice a possible for the Juddmonte International Stakes on Tuesday, August 18. The Royal Hunt Cup winner will also be considered for the Sky Bet Strensall Stakes – a Group 3 over a 1m 1f - on Friday, August 21.

Forgotten Voice disappointed in soft ground in a Doncaster conditions race before returning to form with a creditable fourth-placed effort in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes last Wednesday.

Noseda said: “I was pleased with his run at Goodwood. It is obvious now that the ground compromised him that day at Doncaster and Frankie Dettori felt that it wasn’t even quick enough for him subsequently at Goodwood.

“So we will be looking to run him on as quick a ground as possible next time. He has come out of Goodwood in good order and we will leave him in the Juddmonte International Stakes. Other options are the Strensall Stakes and the Celebration Mile back at Goodwood.”

 

Social Bookmarks