Cool shoots for Sceptre prize
Wednesday 12 September 2012
Coolnagree represents Ireland's sole hope of retaining Thursday's Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster.
Trainer Willie McCreery believes his grey is well worth being given the chance as she beat subsequent Jersey Stakes winner Ishvana, admittedly receiving plenty of weight, in a handicap at the Curragh in March and was second in two more good Listed races at the Kildare track during the spring.
Having finished fourth at Tipperary last time, McCreery feels this is the right challenge for her and said: "She's had a good season and it was a great run last time after a break - she got knocked about in the race and finished well."
He added: "We're looking forward to it. There are no easy options at Group level and when you're a three-year-old filly, you've got to take your chances."
The ground on Town Moor promises to be quicker than Coolnagree has experienced lately but her trainer said: "All her best runs have been on soft to yielding, but she's growing up a bit and I don't think she will mind it faster."
Among her 17 opponents are a pair from Jeremy Noseda's yard in Regal Realm and Instance. The former won the Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood but was last back at the same course when slowly away in the Supreme Stakes.
Instance is moving out of handicap company and Noseda told www.jeremynoseda.com: "Regal Realm is proven at this level although sometimes she needs things to go right for her. With Instance, we are chancing our arm by stepping her up in grade, so we will see how we get along."
Roger Varian throws Newmarket maiden winner Perfect Step in at the deep end after two further encouraging efforts at handicap level.
"We are taking a big step up in grade with her but she seems in good form and she has done nothing wrong this season and deserves to take her chance," he told www.varianstable.com.
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