WRITTEN IN THE STARS
ANDRE FABRE is targeting Cloth Of Stars and Usherette at the Qipco Guineas Festival at Newmarket.
The Irish-bred thoroughbred was eighth in the Derby behind Harzand, won a Group Two at Chantilly on Sunday and is one of 29 entries in the Dunaden Jockey Club Stakes on May 6.
Usherette has not been seen since finishing sixth in the Falmouth Stakes.
But prior to that she had won her previous four races, including at Royal Ascot. She is on target for the Charm Spirit Dahlia Stakes, for which 17 horses have been entered on May 7.
Fabre, who is also responsible for the leading 2000 Guineas candidate Al Wukair, said: “I was delighted with Cloth Of Stars’ win on Sunday, especially since he would have been better suited by a longer trip.
“He’s also entered in the Prix Ganay a week before the Jockey Club Stakes and I will leave it to his owners (Godolphin) to decide where he goes, although the mile and a half at Newmarket could be ideal for him.
“He’s never run at Newmarket before but I have no worries about the course – every horse should be suited by the course there.
“Usherette has had a long rest and it is a case of so far so good with her – she looks great, stronger than before, and has been working well.
“I don’t intend to run her before the Dahlia Stakes as I don’t want to rush her – she goes on any ground. Her target for the season is to win a Group One.”
Hawkbill, Across The Stars, Dartmouth, Idaho and Seventh Heaven are in the mix for Jockey Club Stakes, while Absolute Blast, Czabo, Somehow and So Mi Dar catch the eye in the Dahlia.
● Perth are renaming and rebranding key races in support of both the Year of Heritage, History and Archaeology and also to promote their bid for 2021 UK City of Culture.
Scottish artist Gordon Muir has been commissioned to design two special-edition trophies for Perth’s most prestigious races.
They pay homage to the Stone of Destiny and Roman-era Saddle Quern, discovered in the fabled Gold Castle adjoining the course.
The new-look trophies will be ready for the Perth Festival, which starts on Wednesday, April 26.
The polished-bronze saddle quern will be awarded to the winner of the EBF Stallions Gold Castle National Hunt Novice Hurdle Race and The Summer Champion Hurdle is now the Stone of Destiny Handicap Hurdle Race.