A place in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf will be on offer alongside the usual Classic clues at Newmarket on Friday when ten 2-year-olds line up for the Unibet Rockfel Stakes.
With only six weeks to go until the two-day championships at Del Mar on November 5-6, the G2 is one of two juvenile events this week on the Rowley Mile (alongside Saturday’s Royal Lodge) to feature in the ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge series, which is making its final visit to Britain for 2021.
The Rockfel features several promising fillies, among them the hat-trick-seeking Majestic Glory, who landed G3 victory last time out with a one-length defeat of Wild Beauty in the Sweet Solera Stakes for title-chasing trainer Andrew Balding.
The latter, also a daughter of Frankel, boosted the form last weekend in no uncertain terms with a comprehensive success in the G1 Natalma Stakes at Woodbine. That victory earned the Godolphin filly a guaranteed spot in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, for which she is now favourite with British bookmakers.
Rockfel Stakes: a bit of context
History: Established 40 years ago and named in honour of Britain’s champion 3-year-old of 1938, the dual Classic-winning filly Rockfel, this 7-furlong event was raised to its current G2 status in 1998. Formerly staged during Newmarket’s Champions Day in mid-October, it swapped places in 2014 with Ascot’s G1 Fillies’ MIle (now also staged at Newmarket). Four fillies have tasted 1000 Guineas success the following spring after winning here, the most recent being Finsceal Beo (2006-07)
Star turn: Speciosa (2005) – sent off a 20/1 chance under Micky Fenton, the Pam Sly-trained filly was regarded as a surprise winner as she made all to score by a neck. Her connections reportedly turned down a £1 million bid for the daughter of Danehill Dancer over the winter – and Speciosa’s Rockfel triumph didn’t look so much of an upset when she won the 1000 Guineas for her popular trainer, small-scale and locally based, who described the win as being “for all the little people”.
Most wins (trainer): Barry Hills (4) Negligent (1989), Yawl (1992), Hula Angel (1998), Maids Causeway (2004)
Most wins (jockey): Michael Hills (4) Negligent (1989), Hula Angel (1998), Maids Causeway (2004), Just The Judge (2012)
Frankie Dettori (4) Crystal Gazing (1990), Moonlight Paradise (1996), Spain Burg (2016), Juliet Capulet (2017)
Breeders’ Cup Challenge
The winner will receive an automatic fees-paid berth in the Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar on November 5. A minimum travel allowance of $40,000 will also be provided for all starters based outside North America.
Already qualified (2): Discoveries (Moyglare Stud Stakes), Wild Beauty (Natalma Stakes).
Breeders’ Cup past performance
Often worth watching with the Breeders’ Cup in mind as four of the last five winners have gone on to run in the Juvenile Fillies Turf. Although they did not include last year’s winner Isabella Giles, runner-up Nazuna was tenth at Keeneland.
Twelve months previously, 2019 Rockfel winner Daahyeh was sent off 7/2 favourite for the Juvenile Fillies Turf before a sound runner-up effort, beaten just a length and a quarter by Sharing, while the 2018 Rockfel winner Just Wonderful was fourth at Churchill Downs. Spain Burg was tenth at Santa Anita after being transferred to U.S.-based Kathy Ritvo from France in 2016; 12 months later, Juliet Capulet was 11th at Del Mar.
Top contenders for 2021
Majestic Glory (Andrew Balding/Ryan Moore) – progressive daughter of Frankel bidding for hat-trick after winning G3 Sweet Solera Stakes on most recent outing on July Course at this 7f trip; runner-up that day was Wild Beauty, subsequent G1 winner in Canada; probable favourite holds G1 entry in Bet365 Fillies’ Mile.
Girl On Film (Ralph Beckett/Frankie Dettori) – won going away for impressive debut win on July Course in August for owners John and Tanya Gunther; returns for second run at same 7f trip with Dettori taking over from Rossa Ryan; holds G1 Fillies’ Mile entry.
Jumbly (Roger Charlton/Hollie Doyle) – Gleneagles filly puts unbeaten record on line as he steps into Group company for third start after straightforward odds-on success on all-weather at Kempton (looked good in small field); back on turf now, having won first time out at Leicester.
Oscula (George Boughey/William Buick) – eighth start of season for daughter of Galileo Gold; already a Group winner, having landed G3 at Deauville in August (soft ground) before finishing third in similar venue at same venue; trainer also runs Cachet, who missed break at ParisLongchamp last time out.
Romantic Time (William Stone/Marco Ghiani) – won three of last four, notably the G3 Dick Poole Stakes at Salisbury (slowly away but quickened up well over 6f); up in distance again with pedigree to suit and top apprentice in the saddle.
What they say
George Boughey
Trainer of Cachet and Oscula
“Cachet was unlucky in France – she was slow out of the gate, which she has been the last twice. I think you’ll see a different Cachet on Friday. She looks great now.
“I think Oscula will run a massive race. I think she’s up to this level. She’s got to handle Newmarket. She wouldn’t have done a huge amount of work on the track, unlike most of mine, so that’s a little bit new to her. Her style of racing should suit it.”