Vision.AE Rockfel Stakes Group 2 [Fillies]

                                                              Rockfel Stakes Group 2


In essence the fillies Dewhurst and a race which rivals its 'brother' in delivering classic clues for the following year. In the last decade classic winners Just The Judge, Speciosa and Finsceal Beo have all taken this race en route to classic glory in their 3 year old campaign. In all no less than 6 winners of this race in the past decade have delivered on their promise by becoming group one heroines in their classic campaign.

Al Tharika- A ready winner of a Yarmouth maiden, 2nd has since won easily at Wolverhampton, who has been recently purchased by the free spending Sheikh Joaan. Looked useful the first day and has to rate one of the more likely sorts in a contest lacking depth

Blockade- 3 time winner who finished a close up 8th in a Group Three at Ayr last time. I would suggest that is as good as she is and she doesn't appeal as a win contender

Hoku- Maiden winner who comes here having finished down the field in the Marcel Boussac last Sunday. This represents a drop in class but she still rates an unlikely winner and the stable seem to have a far stronger option in Lightning Thunder

Ifrika- Clive Brittain filly who has finished fourth in two maidens so far. The second of those was in a very hot race at HQ and so may not be the rank outsider she appears at first glance for a trainer renowned for tilting at windmills

Lightning Thunder- Clear form choice having been the only one to give the potentially top class Miss France a race in the Oh So Sharp Stakes last time. Another Miss France victim Indonesienne has since franked the form by taking the Group One Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend. There are no rivals of that quality in this field and the race looks at her mercy. A confident selection

Lustrous- Impressive winner on debut at Salisbury before running with credit when 4th in the May Hill. Did finish behind the 95 rated Lady Lara that day and that holds the form down somewhat. Still unexposed and has definite place possibilities but would need to find to trouble the favourite

Thewandaofu- Jamie Osbourne filly who has finished up in the runner up berth on her last three starts. Nearly won a decent nursery off of a mark of 73 last time, which shows the mountain she needs to climb to go one better today

Valonia- Qatar Racing owned filly who finished runner up behind the subsequent Group Three runner up Qawaasem on her first outing. Made no mistake on second start when taking a very warm Goodwood maiden before running a close 4th in a Group Three contest at Ayr last time. Despite being a beaten favourite that was a solid effort and she looks the main danger to the selection. Her first try at Seven furlongs

Ventura Mist- Middleham Park owned filly who has been a credit to connections and has won £130,000 in her ten runs to date. Despite such a workload she arrives on the back of a career best performance, when taking the Listed Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar last time. Steps up a furlong today but no reason why she won't be suited by it. Should run her usual solid race without being good enough to win

Verdict- Not a vintage renewal of a race won by last years Irish 1000 Guineas Heroine Just The Judge. The obvious starting point has to be Lightning Thunder whose 2nd behind Miss France was well advertised at Longchamp over the weekend. She ran into a good one that day and showed a willing attitude when defying a stumble in taking down two useful Colts the time before. She looks to have everything going for her here to become a Group 2 winner. Valonia appears to be the main danger having ran well in 3 tough races so far in her career, with the unexposed Al Tharika appealing for minor honours

1 Lightning Thunder
2 Valonia
3 Al Tharika