Treble-Seeking Soviet Heads 36 For Falmouth Stakes

The #200,000 UAE Equestrian And Racing Federation Falmouth Stakes, run at Newmarket on Wednesday, July 12, the opening day of the Ritz Club July Festival, has attracted a top class 36-strong entry.

The mile contest for fillies and mares aged three and upwards, upgraded to Group One status in 2004, has been won by some star performers in recent seasons, and this year´s renewal could see Soviet Song bid for a remarkable and unprecedented third successive victory.

A brilliant winner in 2004, where she defeated the previously unbeaten Attraction, the James Fanshawe-trained mare followed up last year, coming home two and a half lengths clear of Alexander Goldrun, again displaying her potent turn of foot.

The popular six-year-old showed she retained all her ability with a comfortable two-length defeat of Echelon in the Group Two Windsor Forest Stakes at Royal Ascot last week, with Royal Alchemist, Zayn Zen, Luas Line, Violet Park, Bon Nuit, Chantilly Beauty and Astronomia strung out behind.

Musicanna could also represent last year´s winning trainer, looking for a fourth straight victory after Macadamia triumphed in 2003, while Alexander Goldrun, trained by Jim Bolger, could turn out again and is one of five Irish-trained entries, hoping for a first win in the contest since Rose Above triumphed in 1979.

Last year´s third Peeress took the Group One Lockinge Stakes at Newbury this season and along with Echelon and Wasseema could represent Sir Michael Stoute, who has claimed the race four times with Royal Heroine (1983), Sonic Lady (1986 & 1987) and Lovers Knot (1998).

The Stan James 1000 Guineas heroine Speciosa, trained by Pam Sly, could bid to become the first filly to follow up in the Falmouth since Waterloo took both Newmarket contests in 1972, while Nannina, impressive when landing the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, could run for John Gosden, who secured the prize in 1997 with Ryafan.

Flashy Wings, trained by Mick Channon, ran a fine second that day and may seek revenge, along with stablemate Silver Touch, while the likes of Nasheej, Race For The Stars, Rajeem, Silca´s Sister, Vague, Nantyglo and Mostaqeleh could also bid to turn around the Coronation Stakes form.

The Pascal Bary-trained Price Tag, a disappointing eighth in the Coronation Stakes, finished first past the post in the French 1,000 Guineas only to be disqualified and placed third behind fellow entrants Tie Black and Impressionnante, the last-named trained by Carlos Laffon-Parias, who struck with Ronda in 1999. Chantilly Beauty from the Rupert Pritchard-Gordon stable completes the four-strong French challenge.

Other interesting contenders include the Michael Bell-trained Red Evie, who made it five out of five for the season when taking the Listed Sandringham Handicap at Royal Ascot, Queen Cleopatra, in the care of Ballydoyle supremo Aidan O´Brien, who was third to Confidential Lady in the French Oaks at Chantilly last time, and Star Cluster, trained by Henry Cecil, who has won the race twice with Chalon (1982) and Chimes Of Freedom (1990).