Wednesday’s Race of the Day: 14:45 Classic Trial at Kempton
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UK Racing returns to the turf at Yarmouth on Wednesday, but it’s the Group 3 Classic Trial Stakes on the all-weather from Kempton at 14:45 which stands out as the race of the day.
The 1m 2f contest, which is usually held at Sandown, represents the first black-type renewal since racing’s return and acts as a Trial for both The Oaks and The Derby at Epsom next month.
There’s not much to choose between the market principals, although it’s Born With Pride – currently 10/1 for the Oaks – who looks set to go off as favourite after impressing when thrown in at the deep end on debut.
William Haggas’s filly won a Listed contest on her first racecourse start ahead of smart and experienced types including Peaceful for Aidan O’Brien and Run Wild for John Gosden.
Taking on the boys in only her second run isn’t ideal but after such an impressive debut, we can only assume that more is to come from this half-sister to Raheen House.
Her nearest challenger looks likely to be either Max Vega or Hypothetical, with the former landing the odds in style at Pontefract on his second start and then following up in the Group 3 Zetland Stakes.
That victory was over the same distance at this test, so there should be little doubt he’ll manage the trip, the only question is whether he’ll be crying out for further in this company.
Hypothetical, meanwhile, comes into the race carrying a 550,000 guineas price tag plus all the weight and expectation you’d associate with a Gosden runner that has Frankie Dettori on board.
The Lope De Vega colt bolted up on debut on the all-weather at Chelmsford in December, and faced with similar conditions here, looks certain to be in the mix.
Bright Melody is another who has experience on the all-weather after a similarly taking success at Chelmsford in January, and delving into that form, it’s impossible not to rate his chances.
Third-place To Nathaniel has subsequently come out and won, while fifth-place Papa Power has landed the odds twice since defeat that day in Essex.
This will be a tougher test for Bright Melody but one that she should relish. Likewise, Berlin Tango will need to find considerable improvement, while Pyledriver needs to come on from a poor run in a Group 2 last time out.
Highlight Chief won on his first start before finishing third in the Chesham and disappointing last time out, but he remains unexposed at this distance and can’t be wholly discounted, especially for place claims.
Elsewhere, Night Colours must defy a penalty after landing a Group 2 contest in Italy, while Yes My Boy, Chamade and Tom Collins’s chances are reflected by their odds.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
