Seven-furlong G2 contest is first of two Breeders’ Cup ‘Win and You’re In’ Challenge races for two-year-olds at Newmarket this week offering a guaranteed spot in the Juvenile Fillies Turf
A 14-runner field full of highly promising two-year-old fillies lines up on Friday at Newmarket when the Rockfel Stakes heads three Group races on Day Two of Newmarket’s Cambridgeshire meeting, named in honour of Saturday’s historic handicap.
With only six weeks to go until the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland on November 4-5, the G2 Rockfel 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.
A fees-paid berth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf will be on offer alongside the usual Classic clues – and if last year is anything to go by, the seven-furlong contest sponsored by Dubai’s Al Basti Equiworld could prove highly informative.
That 2021 edition saw Hello You beat Cachet by a length and a half; they finished fourth and fifth, albeit in reverse order, at Del Mar – and Cachet went on to Classic glory in this year’s 1000 Guineas.
Indeed, the Rockfel is often worth watching with the Breeders’ Cup in mind as five of the last five winners have gone on to the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf. They include 2019 winner Daahyeh, sent off 7-2 favourite for the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf before a sound runner-up effort at Santa Anita, while the 2018 Rockfel winner Just Wonderful was fourth at Churchill Downs.
Likely to start hot favourite on Friday is Commissioning, a once-raced daughter of superstar miler Kingman stepping up from an impressive victory in maiden company. Rivals include unbeaten Rich and Rage Of Bamby, G3 winner Sydneyarms Chelsea and Irish-trained Olivia Maralda.
Key contenders
Commissioning (John & Thady Gosden/Robert Havlin) – Kingman filly created excellent impression with straightforward 3½-length victory on July Course debut a couple of months ago; quoted for 1000 Guineas on the back of that and likely to be warm order here; Havlin takes over from suspended Dettori.
Rich (Richard Hannon/Pat Dobbs) – very well-regarded daughter of Cracksman unseen since scoring on soft-ground debut over 6f at Newbury in May; pedigree suggests that distance was well short of likely optimum.
Olivia Maralda (Michael O’Callaghan/Rossa Ryan) – Kodiac filly was 460,000gns breeze-up purchase; sets the standard on pure form, having stepped up on easy seven-length Newbury romp with second place to subsequent G1-placed Mediatte last time in G1 Debutante at Curragh;
Rage Of Bamby (Eve Johnson Houghton/Charles Bishop) – won both starts, narrow verdict at Newbury on debut before making all for comfortable victory over this trip at Leicester on last start after two-and-half-month break; improving type, worth a shot at this higher grade.
Shall we talk about it?
Richard Hannon, trainer of Rich: “I think she could be a very good filly. Julie [Wood, owner] decided not to take her to Royal Ascot and that was a great decision. We have given her time since. A lot of the lads that ride her all agree that she feels like she could be anything.” (Sporting Life)
Charlie Hills, trainer of Sydneyarms Chelsea:"She's a lovely, big filly who should stay a mile. She goes with some cut in the ground, but wouldn't want it too bad.” (Racing Post)
Nicholas Godfrey’s verdict
Although Commissioning looks exciting, she won’t make for a fantastically attractive betting proposition in this sort of company. On the other hand, DANCE IN THE GRASS is trading at an each-way price after flopping as market leader for a G2 event at Doncaster last time out. Back on better ground this time, the scopey Cracksman filly can be given another chance as she looked pretty smart on her first two starts, both over this 7f trip.
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