Camillo Team Have Grounds For Concern

Connections of Sander Camillo are anxiously monitoring the weather ahead of tomorrow's Sky Bet Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.

Although the ground at Headquarters is officially described as good, rain is forecast overnight with the possibility of heavy showers turning the ground on the easier side.

Should conditions ease significantly, Sander Camillo, the ante-post favourite for next year's Stan James 1000 Guineas, would be pulled out of the six-furlong contest.

'If the ground is good, she will run,' said Barry Simpson, racing manager to owner Sir Robert Ogden.

'We are monitoring the forecast, but there's a 60 per cent chance of rain and it could be anywhere between three and 15 millimetres.

'If it's the latter, it would probably turn good to soft and she wouldn't go.

'We'll see how they go at Newmarket today, but there will obviously be some fresh ground available tomorrow on the far side.'

Jeremy Noseda's charge has only been beaten once in three starts, with that defeat coming on soft ground at Newmarket in May, when the Dixie Union filly could finish only fourth behind Bicoastal.

'It is a massive concern as we ran on soft on her debut and Jeremy has always said she is such a good actioned filly that she really needs to bounce off the ground to be seen at her best,' Simpson explained.

'Jeremy is due to walk the last two furlongs at about 5.30am to see what the ground is like but obviously if it has lashed down overnight, there will be no need.

'We want to run her in a Group One, we want to give her the opportunity to prove she's the best filly around.

'We will give it our best shot, but Sir Robert is a great believer that if there is any doubt, don't do it.'

Sander Camillo missed an intended engagement in the Lowther Stakes at York last month after suffering a minor training setback, but Simpson reports her to be back in peak condition.

'She's in very good form and has been working tremendously well. In terms of fitness and well-being, she could not be better,' he added.

Connections had discussed running in the Owen Brown Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket on October 14 if she misses out tomorrow.

However, that now seems unlikely and Sander Camillo may well not run again this season if the ground goes against her.

'If she doesn't run tomorrow, it's likely she won't run again this season,' Simpson confirmed.

'We've looked at the Rockfel, but that is still three weeks away and Jeremy has got her right for tomorrow so it would be difficult to let her down and then bring her back up again.

Sander Camillo is the even-money favourite for tomorrow's race and is already as short as 5-1 with most firms for the Guineas.

French raider Magic America represents Group One form in the #170,000 contest, having finished a length behind Dutch Art in the Prix Morny last time.

Criquette Head-Maarek's filly had previously won on her debut as well as finishing third in the Prix Robert Papin, and the trainer is hopeful she will show her best back against her own sex.

'She arrived this morning, no problems at all, and she is in very good form,' she said.

'She ran a very good race last time, it was a good quality race, especially when you see the third (Excellent Art) has since gone on to win a Group Two.

'It is always easier taking on the fillies than the colts and I don't really mind about the going as she goes on all ground.'

Indian Ink will be stepping up in grade after running away with the valuable Watership Down Stud Sales Stakes at Ascot last week.

That victory followed a good second place behind Silk Blossom in the Lowther at York and her connections are hoping for more rain.

'The more the rain the better for her. The rain that's forecast would make it just right for her,' said trainer Richard Hannon.

La Presse will be bidding to bounce back from a disappointing performance at Ayr last time.

Barry Hills' filly was a useful winner of a maiden at York's Ebor meeting but she failed to make the transition to Listed level when only third at the Scottish track.

'La Presse would seem to have an each-way chance. We all have it to do against the favourite, but she's a nice filly,' said Hills.

(C) PA Sport