Sister Has Hard Act To Follow

Sister Act will bid to maintain family tradition when she makes her racecourse debut at Newbury tomorrow.

The three-year-old, who runs in the seven-furlong Bridget Maiden Fillies' Stakes, has a hard act to follow as her full-sister is Soviet Song, who retired to the paddocks at the end of last season following a career that saw her win nine races and over #1million in prize money.

Like Soviet Song, who is currently at Coolmore to be covered by Montjeu, Sister Act is owned and bred by the Elite Racing Club and trained by James Fanshawe in Newmarket.

Fanshawe said: 'Sister Act is in good form. She is bigger than Soviet Song and consequently has taken a bit of time.'

Matthew Budden, who manages Elite's breeding and racing interests, added: 'This is always a very exciting time for the Club, with our first runners on the Flat as well as our foals being born and breeding plans being put into action.

'We are all particularly looking forward to seeing Sister Act run and there are plenty more exciting prospects waiting in the wings.'

Another Elite home-bred making his first appearance on the same card is Harlech Castle in the Burges Salmon EBF Maiden Stakes.

The two-year-old, trained by Paul Cole, is a half-brother to the Club's Brecon Beacon and Eisteddfod.

(C) PA Sport