Rain to help Reflection
THE participation of QUIET
REFLECTION (Haydock, 4.05) in today’s Temple Stakes remains in doubt but, with thunderstorms forecast this morning, conditions could be perfect.
Trainer Karl Burke has been utterly transparent in the build-up to this afternoon’s Group Two feature, suggesting his star filly will be withdrawn should the ground not be to her liking.
Haydock has a history of producing easier ground than most tracks and some rain wouldn’t go amiss for a filly dropping from six furlongs to five today.
Burke has put on record that he was unhappy with last season’s Commonwealth Cup winner during the spring, but one or two ‘niggly problems have now been ironed out’ and her work at home is reported to be more in keeping with her exceptional ability.
There is always a slight concern that a race such as the Temple Stakes is being employed as a stepping stone towards Royal Ascot, but Quiet Reflection’s record following a break in excess of seven weeks reads 111, so she clearly goes well fresh. Hopefully, new partner Martin Harley, who replaces long-time rider Dougie Costello, can gain a nice tow into the race with Alpha Delphini, Priceless and Take Cover likely to take her along at a good pace.
I felt market rival Washington DC should have won the Palace House Stakes and his will to win remains a concern, so the likes of Kachy and Cotai Glory could close the gap from their running at Newmarket.
Both were sluggishly away from the stalls that day, but shaped with promise and I can see Kachy improving on his run in this race 12 months ago, where really deep ground probably put paid to his chance. He was only a length behind Quiet Reflection in the Commonwealth Cup despite hanging his chance away and his yard and rider were in great form here yesterday.
Cotai Glory is much better in a smaller field like this (4-7 in 6-12 runner races) and he stumbled badly at Newmarket, so can be forgiven that run.