Hooray has another chance to redeem her reputation as she makes a swift return to action in today’s Supreme Stakes at Goodwood.
Sir Mark Prescott’s Cheveley Park Stakes heroine won over seven furlongs at Epsom in June, but she made an unsuccessful bid for sprint glory in the Golden Jubilee and finished unplaced in a seven-furlong Listed race at Tipperary last week.
Chris Richardson, racing manager for owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: “She has won over that trip, but I think she is better over shorter. Sir Mark thinks this is a good opportunity. She didn’t have much luck in running and possibly didn’t stay in Ireland. Her ideal trip is six, but this looks an opportunity rather than being ideal.”
Jacqueline Quest is another trying to recapture her best form after coming home first in the 1000 Guineas last year only to lose the race in the stewards’ room.
She refused to race in the Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot and moved from Sir Henry Cecil’s yard to Ian Williams’ team for a change of scenery, finishing a fair fourth on her debut for the yard over a mile at Haydock.
Williams said: “We were delighted with her first run at Haydock. She travelled well there and just looked like she would be more suited by a drop back to seven furlongs than a mile. I’m sure she will improve for that outing and we’re looking forward to running.
“We took every precaution we could the first time she ran for us to try to make sure she jumped off and we will do the same this time. To be fair to her, she has only done it the once at Royal Ascot, but when they decide they’re not going to run, it’s hard to convince them otherwise.”
Balthazaar’s Gift has been well beaten on each of his three starts this term, but Clive Cox retains faith in his battle-hardened eight-year-old.
He said: “He won the Park Stakes last year and we’d be looking for a good run, although he would need the ground a bit drier to show his best. He’s been giving us all the right signals on the gallops and I’m hopeful of a good run.”
Of the 10 runners, only last week’s York Listed hero Doncaster Rover was a winner on his most recent start. Richard Hannon’s Libranno drops back in class after running in Group One company last time, while other noteworthy contenders include Karam Albaari, who was last seen when finishing sixth in the Racing Post Trophy.
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