Queen Mary Heroine Gilded Among 78 In Weatherbys Super Sprint

Gilded, who landed her fifth race in succession in the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, is one of 78 entries remaining at the latest forfeit stage in the #135,000 Weatherbys Super Sprint, as her trainer Richard Hannon seeks to enhance his fantastic record in the five-furlong contest, run at Newbury on Saturday, July 22.

The East Everleigh handler has taken the valuable prize six times in total with Lyric Fantasy (1992), Risky (1993), Miss Stamper (1996), Presto Vento (2002), If Paradise (2003) and Lady Livius last year, who obliged at odds of 100/1.

A 13,000 guineas purchase for retired schoolteacher Julie Wood, who also owned 2003 hero If Paradise, Gilded would still carry a light weight in the very valuable event restricted to yearlings who cost under 40,000gns at a British or Irish sale - there is a 1lb allowance for each 2,500gns less than 40,000gns that a horse cost as a yearling - despite picking up a penalty for her recent win.

Assistant trainer Richard Hannon Jnr said: 'Gilded has every chance of running in the Weatherbys Super Sprint, although it´s a fair way off yet. She was bought with the race in mind but we need to discuss it with the owner. She´s fine at the moment.'

The Redback filly could be joined by stablemates Cav Okay and Sonny Red, third and fourth respectively in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, dual winner Karayel, recent Bath scorer Resignation and the maiden Benchmark.

Sylvester Kirk has three entries, headed by Elhamri, a 28,000gns yearling, who provided him with a first Royal Ascot winner in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. The unraced pair Buckie Massa and Vietnam are also engaged.

'We are giving serious consideration to running Elhamri in the Weatherbys Super Sprint at Newbury,' Kirk explained today.

'Even with his penalty for winning the Windsor Castle he´s going to be well in on his rating, although it´s a very competitive event. He´s come out of his last race really well - in fact he´s jumping, bucking, skipping and kicking!

'My other two entries are Buckie Massa and Vietnam - due to make their debuts on Thursday and Monday respectively - so we´ll see how they get on, but Elhamri would be the main contender, no doubt.'

Brian Meehan, who sent out 2004 scorer Siena Gold, has two entries in the shape of Nina Blini, a close third behind Gilded in the Queen Mary Stakes, and Scented Present, who ran unplaced in both the Windsor Castle Stakes and Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Perlachy and Ponty Rossa are both entered for Tim Easterby, successful with Flanders in 1998 and Good Girl three years later. Rod Millman, who was on the mark with Lord Kintyre in 1997, has Castano and El Bosque to consider, while Hambleton trainer Bryan Smart could look for a second victory with Avertuoso and Ice Mountain, having triumphed in 1999 with Don Puccini.

Another interesting contender is the Kevin Ryan-trained Sadeek, who landed the Listed Woodcote Stakes at Epsom Downs in June.

The Weatherbys Super Sprint was first run in 1991 and is open to two-year-olds that were sold or bought in as yearlings for 40,000gns or less at public auction.