Emaraaty Ana can return to form at Salisbury
EMARAATY ANA can get his season back on track in the British Stallion Studs EBF Conditions Stakes at Salisbury.
Winner of the Gimcrack last season, Emaraaty Ana was viewed as a Classic contender at the start of the year, lining up in both the British and Irish 2000 Guineas, finishing well down the field on each occasion.
Dropped back to six furlongs for a Listed heat at Salisbury on his latest start in June, soft ground was against him as he pitched into all-aged company but he was not totally disgraced in finishing a three-and-a-halflength fifth.
He has been off the track since that run, but Kevin Ryan seemingly still thinks he is a sprinting type given his Ayr Gold Cup entry and Emaraaty Ana can confirm that impression with victory here on favourable terms.
A drop back to a mile and three-quarters can see Horatio Star regain winning ways in the Meachers Global Classic Supporting Gift Of Sight Handicap.
Brian Meehan’s four-yearold struck over this distance at Bath in July and just found the two miles and a furlong there too far when runner-up to Charlie D a month ago.
Angel Grey hit the mark at the third time of asking and can kick on again in the Racegoers Club Fillies’ Nursery Handicap at Goodwood.
She looked full of promise on her debut, but then let her supporters down when she was possibly a bit too keen.
However, she settled much better when last seen and duly prevailed by three lengths, winning with plenty left in the locker.
Those three runs have earned her a starting mark of 79, which appears very workable.
Strawberryandcream is clearly no world beater but should be sharp enough for the Every Race Live On Racing TV Fillies’ Handicap at Catterick.
She won in maiden company over the same seven furlongs she faces here at the start of the season, but could not follow up when tackling a mile next time out.
Returned to seven furlongs for her latest run, she only lost out in the dying strides and posted what was probably her best effort to date.
Modakhar is intriguing making his first start for Karl Burke in the Dine And View At Catterick Races Novice Stakes.
He finished fourth on his only start for Richard Hannon in June before changing hands for 33,000 guineas at the July sales.
His initial run held a gleam of promise and a change of scenery might work the trick for him.
Mawakib can feel the benefit of a move up in distance in Kempton’s Matchbook London Mile Series Qualifier Handicap.
He struck over seven furlongs at this track in June but then had to settle for minor honours in a decent heat at Chester.
He could not find a gap when he needed one that day and could not regain lost momentum, so he seems to be better than the bare form suggests. JOHANNA Konta needs to overcome another nemesis if she is to reach the semifinals of the US Open.
The British number one beat Karolina Pliskova for only the second time in eight meetings to make the last eight.
Today, she faces fifth seeded Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, a player she has lost to in each of their four encounters.
“Elina is a tough player for me to play. I’ve had a lot of difficulty against her. I mean, she’s incredibly tenacious,” admitted Konta.
“She’s a tremendous competitor. I would be going out there anticipating it to be a tough match, anticipating for her to be there from the very beginning to the very end.
“I’m just really looking to compete well against her on the day.”
Konta became the first British woman to reach the quarters at Flushing Meadows since Jo Durie in 1983.
She is bidding to become the first to make the semifinals in each of the four grand slams in the Open era.
“Yeah, I’m really pleased,” she added. “I think for me more on a personal level to be able to have made it to the quarters for my third slam in a row, I think that’s a really, really big achievement for me. So I’m really pleased with that.
“Obviously I’m looking forward to keep going further and further. You know how I am, I take one match at a time. I don’t really look forward too much more.”
Svitolina overcame Madison Keys in the fourth round, ending the American’s unbeaten record in night matches in New York.
On her record against Konta, she said: “To be fair, they have all been very tough matches. She’s a very tough opponent. She strikes the ball very good, and I have to react very quickly with my feet.
“I know a bit what to expect. I have been practicing a little bit with her. You know, I have to step on court and be focused on my game. That’s my goal for the next match.
“I think she’s a solid player. She plays always well in the grand slams. She’s a top player. She’s been in the top 10 and been playing very good tennis.”
Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic’s US Open title defence came to an end after he retired injured while two sets down to Stan Wawrinka.
The crowd on Arthur Ashe were stunned when the world number one approached Wawrinka and embraced him while trailing 6-4 7-5 2-1.
Djokovic has been bothered by a left shoulder injury all week, although it was not apparent during the opening two sets with Wawrinka reprising the sort of form which made him the champion in 2016.
But the Serbian took a medical time-out after dropping the second set, and three games into the third he decided enough was enough.
“It was the left shoulder,” Djokovic confirmed.
“I congratulate Stan. He’s a great player. I really wish him all the best the rest of the tournament. I’m sorry for the crowd. Obviously they came to see a full match, and it wasn’t to be.”
The result means Wawrinka will face fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in the quarter-finals.