Roger Varian has reiterated the ground must be suitable for Ladbrokes St Leger favourite Kingston Hill to take his chance in the Classic on Saturday.
The Derby runner-up has drifted slightly in the betting as the sun has continued to beat down on Town Moor for the first two days of the meeting, with connections of the colt warning that the going must be in his favour if he is to participate.
Although there is no further rain forecast, Varian is hoping the ground does not get any quicker over the next two days.
Speaking from Doncaster on Thursday afternoon, the Newmarket handler said: "I'm not going to be here (on Friday) as I haven't got a runner. I'll be here on Saturday and nothing's changed. If I'm happy with the ground conditions, I'll run and if I'm not, I won't.
"I've spoken to Roderick (Duncan, clerk of the course) and he knows my position. It will either be good enough for me to run or it won't. I'll walk the course and if I'm happy, we're going to run. I've said we're participating on good ground.
"We want to run - the likelihood is we're going to run - but we want to be running on decent ground. If I'm happy with the ground I'll run. I can't be more clear than that. I'll be here on Saturday and let's hope we're here competing."
Asked about watering ahead of Saturday's fixture, Duncan said: "I'll rule nothing out, but I'm not planning to at the moment.
"There are 14 runners in the race (St Leger). I would love to see Roger Varian win the race, he won the Racing Post Trophy and I believe if he (Kingston Hill) runs he will win. I want to see the favourite run, but I don't want to see a load of other people not running because I've watered.
"There's not just one race on. There's a lot of horses running and if I adopt a policy that nobody else wants in favour of one horse, it's an impossible position. I'm not being leaned on or being put under any pressure to water."
Providing he takes part, Kingston Hill will face 13 rivals in the world's oldest Classic.
John Gosden has a terrific record in the race and has three contenders. William Buick has chosen Derby third Romsdal, with Frankie Dettori on Forever Now and the Robert Havlin-ridden Marzocco making up the team.
Mark Johnston also has three chances in Alex My Boy, Eclipse third Somewhat and Royal Ascot winner Hartnell, the pick of stable jockey Joe Fanning.
Sir Michael Stoute runs two, headed by Great Voltigeur runner-up Snow Sky, who will be ridden by James Doyle, and Kings Fete, who won a York handicap earlier in the year and will have the assistance of Ryan Moore.
Richard Hannon looks for another Classic with Windshear, while Aidan O'Brien relies solely upon Granddukeoftuscany, who will be ridden by Colm O'Donoghue. Odeon, Scotland and Min Alemarat complete the field.
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Luca Cumani's Silk Sari absolutely bolted up in Doncaster's DFS Park Hill Stakes.
Joint-owned and bred by Fittocks Stud, managed by the trainer's wife, Sara, she went off at 8-1 for what is known as the fillies' St Leger after landing a Listed event at Newbury in early August.
Cascading set the pace for much of the way but Silk Sari was cruising in the home straight and quickened five lengths away from Groovejet.
It was Cumani's fifth winner of the Group Two, and he said: "I must say I'm surprised. I thought she would run well - she's been in excellent form - but winning like that was unexpected.
"There's a mile and five Group race (Prix de Royallieu) on Arc weekend for fillies, she might go for that.
"She's been great for the family, it's a great success. After that she's going to Dubawi, the bloodlines will suit, as well as attitudes and racing style."
Jockey Andrea Atzeni said: "She travelled beautifully in behind. They went a nice gallop which suited her. I thought she'd run well but I didn't think she'd win that well."
Criteria was third for John Gosden, who said: "She had no excuses. She stays well and she's very genuine. I think she'll be a better filly next year."
Seal Of Approval had fallen in the same race 12 months ago before going on to Group One glory in the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes.
This time she was fourth, and trainer James Fanshawe said: "She excels when the ground is really soft and is able to quicken. The ground in the straight was probably just a bit too quick for her. The aim is to go back to Ascot for the race that she won last year."
Cumani and Atzeni combined for a double as 7-2 chance Blue Waltz danced clear in the One Call Insurance Thoroughbred Breeders' Association Fillies' Handicap.
The Newmarket handler said: "This is just a step on her way to better things, at least that's what I hope.
"She may run again this year, but she will not be suited by soft, when it comes, so we'll see. She will stay in training next year."
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Kiyoshi proved her considerable talents remain very much intact with a brilliant victory under the soon-to-retire Jamie Spencer in the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster.
The Charlie Hills-trained three-year-old looked a potential world-beater following a brilliant display in last year's Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and subsequent placed efforts in the Moyglare and Cheveley Park Stakes meant connections headed into the winter with realistic ambitions of Classic glory. But the dream was short-lived, with an early-season illness meaning she did not return until the Coronation Stakes in June.
A disappointing effort at the Royal meeting followed by a no-show in the Falmouth at Newmarket suggested she may be a spent force. However, a fair second behind subsequent American Grade One winner Euro Charline at Ascot in July hinted at a flicker of life and she headed to Yorkshire as an 11-1 chance for her latest Group Three assignment.
Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time, Kiyoshi appeared much more like her old self, travelling with the panache that was the trademark of her juvenile campaign.
Spencer was sitting pretty in behind the pacesetters heading inside the closing stages and once let down, his mount showed thrilling acceleration to seal the deal by a length and a quarter from heavily-supported 15-8 favourite Bragging.
Kiyoshi is now likely to test her powers at the highest level once again in the Kingdom of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket on October 4.
Hills said: "She is very good indeed, but she was a sick filly in the spring and had to have two months of antibiotics. She did a piece of work last week that was really special, quite breathtaking, and it looked like she had her old spark back inside her. We had the cheekpieces on then, so we left them on.
"It's not a definite, but the obvious place to go with her would be the Sun Chariot."
The trainer reserved special praise for Spencer, who stunned the racing world last month when announcing he was hanging up his riding boots at the end of the season.
"Jamie gave her an absolute peach of a ride and I will definitely miss him," said the Lambourn handler.
"He has been great for me. He rode my first Classic winner (Just The Judge, 2013 Irish 1,000 Guineas) and has been a big supporter."
Jockey James Doyle said of the runner-up: "I was very pleased with her. She quickened nicely when the gaps came."
Al Thakhira was third, another short head back, and trainer Marco Botti said: "It was a good run as I was worried about her being drawn against the stands' rail. We have been keeping her fresh for softer ground and hoped we would get that. The ground is drying out, but she has still run very well, even though she would prefer softer ground.
"Seven furlongs is her trip. I wouldn't even mind dropping her back to six furlongs if the right opportunity came along. There are a few races we could look at for her, so we'll see."
Hills was again in the winner's enclosure after 4-1 shot Commemorative, ridden by James Doyle, opened his account at the second attempt in the DFS British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden.
"It's been a very good day," said the Lambourn trainer.
"He got a great ride from the draw (stall two) and he's a lovely, scopey horse. There's no rush with him, but the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket (October 11) might be an option. There's plenty of races for him."
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Bond's Girl earned a sum in vast excess of her tiny purchase price in the Weatherbys Hamilton Insurance £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes at Doncaster.
One of seven Richard Fahey-trained runners in the six-and-a-half-furlong event, the chestnut has already repaid the £3,000 she cost as a yearling by landing her first couple of starts and finishing fourth last time in the Weatherbys Super Sprint.
In the hands of Patrick Mathers, the 14-1 chance came with a powerful run towards the centre of the track to pinch the race from runner-up Heartbreak Hero and Mattmu for a two-length success.
Mathers said: "It's some buzz, I've never had a feeling like that before. Coming here, I was quite confident, and I just tracked the right horses. That's my biggest win yet."
Fahey said: "She's a home-bred filly so I'm delighted for the breeders and it's a great win for the little man (Mathers).
"Off 8st 1lb, I thought she'd run well. These races are tailor-made for horses like her. With that sort of weight, if they can gallop they've got a chance. She looks a sharp, two-year-old type and she might go for the Redcar race (Two-Year-Old Trophy)."
William Haggas, trainer of the runner-up Heartbreak Hero, said: "It was a good run with all the weight that he had to carry and the plan is to go for the Tattersalls Millions race at Newmarket on Saturday week, back over six (furlongs)."
That completed a brace for Fahey, whose Home Cummins repelled the late surge of East Coast Lady in a pulsating climax to the EBF Stallions Breeding Winners Carrie Red Fillies' Nursery.
A winner on her second appearance at Redcar before finishing fourth on her handicap debut at Newmarket, Home Cummins was a 12-1 shot for her latest assignment in the hands of apprentice jockey Jack Garrity.
Given time to find her stride in the early stages, the Rip Van Winkle filly moved towards the front end heading inside the last of six furlongs and stuck to her task admirably to deny East Coast Lady by a nose.
Fahey said: "I thought that was a good performance as it was a very competitive race. We were surprised she got beat at Newmarket last time. I think it was a bit of greenness and she was a little bit keen, so we said we'd sit on her today and let her relax early on.
"She was the top weight and the best horse in the race, so we just wanted to sit on her and let her run. We'll look at the Rockfel Stakes (Newmarket, September 26) at Newmarket now."
The Corsican followed up his recent victory at Goodwood with a battling display in the crownhotel-bawtry.com Handicap. The 11-2 chance surged late in the hands of Jim Crowley to get the better of Mange All by a length, with Arab Dawn back in third.
Winning trainer David Simcock said: "He's going in the right direction and he's got a great attitude. The race was full of improvers, but that's probably going to be it for the year for us. We're looking at longevity and he doesn't need to achieve any more this season."
The concluding Download The Ladbrokes Bingo App Handicap went the way of the Mick Channon-trained Shore Step (11-1), who was ridden by Richard Hughes.
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Times Up will have to overcome the formidable presence of the Queen's Estimate if he is to create a remarkable piece of history in Friday's Socialites Electric Cigarettes Doncaster Cup.
This Group Two event is one of the world's oldest races and having started in 1776, even pre-dates the St Leger by 10 years. No horse has achieved the task facing Times Up - three consecutive victories - since Beeswing back in 1842.
Times Up is usually prepared to peak in the autumn, firstly by the now-retired John Dunlop, and now by his son Ed, and looked to be on his way back when finishing third in last month's Lonsdale Cup at York.
"It was a very good run at York as it was almost like his first run of the year. He has come out of it well and improved as we expected," Dunlop told At The Races.
"I don't know how many horses have won the Doncaster Cup three times and it would be a great achievement if he could do that. It looks like it is going to be a strong race, though.
"I think he proved at York that he is back to his best. He will have his conditions, so let's hope for the best. I think it's a tough race, sadly, maybe a bit tougher with Estimate in there.
"He's in the best condition he's been in this year. We've had a good, clear run and we are very happy with him. He seems to love this time of the year - if he won again it would be amazing. He's in condition and they'll have to go a bit."
Estimate, last year's Gold Cup winner, has had an eventful 2014. She was behind in her work but still finished second at Royal Ascot, and was then found to be one of the horses involved in the spate of positive morphine tests.
The five-year-old ran appallingly in the Goodwood Cup but was nursed back to form by Sir Michael Stoute and finished second, two and a quarter lengths ahead of Times Up, at York.
The Queen's racing manager John Warren said: "She's in good order and Sir Michael is very happy with her well-being. We expect her to run a nice race."
No hasty decisions are likely to be made about Estimate's possible participation in the Emirates Melbourne Cup.
Whiplash Willie has shown a solid level of form since Andrew Balding brought him back from nearly three years off the track, while Richard Fahey is double-handed with Lonsdale fifth Angel Gabrial and Very Good Day.
Clever Cookie, Peter Niven's former hurdler, began his excellent season on the Flat when winning a maiden on Town Moor back in April. He went on to win two more good races at York, was a bit unlucky in the John Smith's Cup and then finished sixth in the Ebor.
"It's a step up in class again but he's not far off it, and there aren't too many other places he can go. His run in the Ebor was good if you consider he hated every minute of it, the ground was far too quick for him. It was like a road there, and he won't run if the ground's too quick," said Niven.
"It should be fine. If he gets the trip, he'll run a big race. We're going another half mile on the Flat, but he hasn't been stopping in his previous runs and they don't always go a full-throttle gallop in the Cup races."
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Charlie Hills is in a confident mood ahead of Cotai Glory's bid for victory in the Polypipe Flying Childers at Doncaster on Friday.
Having chased home the smart Limato in a Listed race at Newbury, he dropped back down to five furlongs for the Molecomb at Goodwood and showed blistering early pace to score by half a length. This Group Two is a natural progression and Hills sees him competing in all of the top sprints next term.
"This has been the plan for him since Goodwood. I think that will probably do him for the year after this," said the Lambourn handler.
"It looks a good spot, he's got a lot of natural speed and the quicker the ground the better. Doncaster drains very well so I think the ground should be perfect.
"The new race at Ascot (Group One sprint for three-year-olds) next season might be for him, all the top sprints and nice races."
Richard Hannon is represented by Beacon, who was behind Cotai Glory at Goodwood and a bit disappointing in the Gimcrack at York. Surprisingly, he will not be ridden by Richard Hughes, with William Buick taking over at the helm.
"Hughesie misses Doncaster as by doing so he can take in both Sandown in the afternoon and Salisbury in the evening, but we are looking forward to Beacon coming back to five furlongs in the Flying Childers," the Herridge handler told
www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
"In defence of Hughesie, he held his hands up the moment he dismounted from Beacon in the Molecomb at Goodwood and admitted that he should have won.
"However, we felt that it was worth trying Beacon over six furlongs in the Gimcrack at York, though, having been dropped out, he could never strike a blow. He has plenty of pace and this flat five will suit him better than the undulations of Goodwood."
Bryan Smart's She's A Worldie was not totally disgraced in the Lowther at York and matched strides with the winner Tiggy Wiggy for the first few furlongs. She understandably drops back down to five furlongs on Town Moor, with owner Ritchie Fiddes of the belief that she could have crept under the radar.
He said: "We want the ground as fast as possible so the fact it's drying all the time is in our favour. We can ride her two different ways, we can go from the front or drop her in. She's got so much pace, she was the only one who could go toe to toe with Tiggy Wiggy in the Lowther.
"You have to be brave to find out how good your horses are. We could go for easier targets but we think she's good enough to get some black type - we can drop down in class later in the year.
"We took plenty of heart from York and dropping in trip is in her favour. We think quite a few in this are six-furlong horses, which is why we are running."
David Brown's Qatar Racing-owned Mind Of Madness bounced back to winning ways at York last time and steps back up in class.
"He's really thrived since his last run and I've been very happy with him. He's carried on thriving and he should run well. He's been on the go a long time but we've managed to give him breaks between his races. This looks very tough, though," said Brown.
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The step up to a mile is not expected to be an issue for Muraaqaba as she bids to win her third race from four career starts in the John Smith's Extra Smooth May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on Friday.
The Mark Johnston-trained filly had no trouble going up from six to seven furlongs on her latest start when she lifted the Group Three Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket last month.
"She won well on her maiden and was then just taken off her feet a bit at Ascot over six (in the Princess Margaret Stakes)," said Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
"We upped her in trip and she won well. She's progressive and is out of a very good mare (Nufoos) by a top stallion (Dubawi), so we're hoping she can keep progressing. I don't think the mile will be any problem to her."
Bonnie Grey continues to surprise her trainer Rod Millman and stuck on stoutly to hold on for third place in the Group Three Prestige Stakes over seven furlongs at Goodwood.
"She's only won the one race but she's stepped up and been placed in strong company her last two races. Looking at the way she was finishing over the seven last time, I think the mile will suit and I'm hoping for a good run," said the Devon trainer.
Shagah stayed on well to finish third to Good Place when tackling a mile for the first time at Ascot on Saturday and trainer Richard Hannon is happy for her to turn out again in the hands of Frankie Dettori.
"Shagah, who runs in the May Hill, is stepping into Pattern waters for the first time," the Herridge handler told
www.richardhannonracing.co.uk.
"She finished third in the Hyperion at Ascot last week, but this is a Group Two and she will obviously have to improve on that to be a player."
Banzari shaped well when second on her debut at Salisbury last month when Dettori was aboard. Trainer Michael Bell expects her to have benefited from the experience and is hoping for a good run.
"She looks to have come on for her second at Salisbury and worked nicely on Wednesday under Frankie Dettori," the Newmarket trainer told his website,
www.michaelbellracing.com.
"Sadly he is unable to ride her as he has been claimed by his retainer to ride their horse. It is a big step up in class and it would be great to see her run well."
The sole Irish challenger is a field of eight for this Group Two contest is the Eddie Lynam-trained Agnes Stewart, who followed up a debut win at Fairyhouse with a creditable second to Jack Naylor in the Group Three Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown.
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Australia faces six rivals as he goes for his fourth successive Group One win of the season in the Qipco Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
The English and Irish Derby scorer took the step back to this trip of a mile and a quarter in his stride when winning the Juddmonte International Stakes at York last month despite connections saying the colt was not fully wound up.
Aidan O'Brien's top-class three-year-old will be taken on again by The Grey Gatsby, who chased him home two lengths down in second place on the Knavesmire.
The Prix du Jockey Club winner was added to the Irish Champion field at the supplementary stage by his trainer Kevin Ryan.
Kingfisher has done sterling work as pacemaker for stablemate Australia in his last three races and gets the key role again.
Al Kazeem, runner-up to The Fugue 12 months ago when sent off odds-on favourite, bids to go one better after returning to the track following a failed stud career.
The Roger Charlton-trained six-year-old broke the track record when winning the Group Three Winter Hill Stakes at Windsor on his second run back.
The William Haggas-trained Mukhadram could only finish fourth behind Australia at York but had earlier defeated Trading Leather in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.
Trading Leather, trained by Jim Bolger, was third in this race last year. Dermot Weld's Alkasser completes the seven-strong line-up
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Red Cadeaux could make his next appearance in the Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup on October 18 after joining the first wave of European horses in quarantine for Australia.
The Emirates Melbourne Cup, in which Ed Dunlop's chestnut has finished second twice in three attempts, is the ultimate aim and he will need to retain his enthusiasm for travelling as he was last in the September Stakes at Kempton over the weekend.
"There is no denying it was a disappointing run last time at Kempton but Gerald Mosse reported he was happy enough with the horse, it just turned out to be a three-furlong sprint," said Dunlop.
"It gives us options by going into quarantine early. With regards to the Caulfield Cup, we'll wait and see what the weather does and the ground. I'd have reservations of running on him very quick ground."
Among the 19 Europeans preparing for the trip in Newmarket are Roger Varian's pair of Ambivalent and Farraaj.
Of the former, who won last year's Pretty Polly Stakes and was fourth this time around, Varian said: "The Caulfield Cup is a new experience for us but it is a great race and we'd be delighted to be a part of it. She is a tough, versatile filly but is best over a mile and a half on decent ground. Her form is strong and she is a proven traveller having been to Dubai and placed third."
Newmarket Listed winner Noble Protector, for Stuart Kittow and Qatar Racing, is leaving Britain for good, and the owner's racing manager David Redvers said: "I think she has the perfect profile for Australian racing, she travels well in her races and loves quick ground. We'd ideally love to get a run in the Caulfield Cup and will be looking to leave her out in Australia based with Caulfield trainer Robert Smerdon."
Side Glance, who won the Mackinnon Stakes in 2013, is joined by Andrew Balding stablemate Van Percy, while Marco Botti's squad is headed by last year's Caulfield Cup runner-up Dandino.
Nuntius and Group Two winner Protectionist are the German representatives, with the horses due to arrive in Melbourne on September 27 when they will complete a further two weeks quarantine at the TAB International Horse Centre at Werribee Racecourse before being free to compete.
Racing Victoria International Recruitment Officer Leigh Jordon said: "There's a great mix of European horses that are starting quarantine en route to Melbourne and we're most pleased to have Red Cadeaux lining up for his fourth straight Spring Racing Carnival.
"Likewise, we're excited to welcome back Dandino and Side Glance, who both acquitted themselves so well last year, and highly-rated new talent like Ambivalent, Mutual Regard and Protectionist," he told
www.racingvictoria.net.au.
The rest of the quarantine party comprises of European runners who will be joining Australian trainers to continue their careers.
Those horses include Mick Channon's Amralah who will be joining Robert Hickmott, Cafe Society who will represent Gai Waterhouse and ex-Ed Dunlop runner Contributer who switches to the care of John O'Shea.
A second shipment of Europeans, including the likes of Slade Power and Adelaide, are due to enter quarantine in Newmarket on September 25 ahead of their scheduled arrival in Melbourne on 11 October.
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Richard Hannon's speedy filly Tiggy Wiggy is on course to bid for her first Group One in the Connolly's Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on September 27.
The filly has won five of her seven starts and claimed her first race over six furlongs in the Lowther Stakes at York last month.
As a two-year-old she would receive all the allowances were she to take her chance in the Prix de l'Abbaye at Longchamp just a week later, but Hannon wants to get Newmarket out of the way first.
Hannon said: "Tiggy Wiggy definitely goes to Newmarket. We will consider the Prix de l'Abbaye after the Cheveley Park but we want to take on her own generation and sex in a Group One first rather than take on the colts and the older horses.
"She is in very good form, is fresh and well and has put on a bit of weight since York. What sets her apart is that she is such a good-moving filly - when other horses strides are shortening she is lengthening.
"I think it was the best Lowther for a number of years and I said at the time I thought the Cheveley Park might turn out to be the same sort of race. If that does prove to be the case, I just hope that they finish in the same order.
"Osaila could run too. She goes to Ireland for Sunday's Moyglare Stud Stakes and we will make a decision afterwards."
Cursory Glance and Anthem Alexander, second and third in the Lowther, both remain in the Cheveley Park, as does Andre Fabre's High Celebrity, an impressive winner in France this week.
Hannon has six entries in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge on the same day.
He added: "We think a lot of Basateen and feel that he can bounce back from his Acomb Stakes defeat while Misterioso is very unexposed."