Newmarket trainer Marco Botti has reported that Aljazzi, his brilliant recent Sandown Park winner, is ready for her return to Group 1 company in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile Racecourse on Saturday (7th October).
Following today’s confirmation stage, the daughter of Shamardal is part of a top class 16-strong entry - including powerful contingents from both France and Ireland - for this prestigious £250,000 event, the penultimate leg in the Mile Division of the QIPCO British Champions Series.
Aljazzi stormed three lengths clear of Nathra (one of her potential rivals on Saturday) when landing the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown four weeks ago.
She had earlier got to within three-quarters of a length of another possible Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot opponent, Qemah, when runner-up in the Group 3 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, but has not been tested at Group 1 level since disappointing in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas way back in May 2016.
French trainers have landed this race five times in the past eight years and, alongside the dual Group 1-winner, Qemah, there are two other entries from across The Channel. They are Usherette, a double Group 2 scorer from the yard of the 27-time French Champion, Andre Fabre, and Freddy Head’s Siyoushake, placed in Group 1 company on her last two starts.
The Irish maestro, Aidan O’Brien - currently just four shy of the world record of 25 Group 1 successes during a calendar year - is represented by Roly Poly and Alluringly.
Much the higher rated of the pair is Roly Poly. She notched back-to-back triumphs in the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes and the Prix Rothschild before a below par sixth when going for the Group 1 hat-trick in the Matron Stakes.
That Matron Stakes was also the most recent outing for another top Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot hope, Persuasive. Trained by John Gosden, she was beaten just a length into third place – a fine effort given that it was only her second start of the season.
Marco Botti, trainer of Aljazzi, said:
“The Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes has been the target for Aljazzi for some time and she did her final serious piece of work on Saturday. Everything went well and I was very pleased with her.”
“She was very impressive at Sandown, that form is working out quite well and the way she won suggested that she is one the up and entitled to step up to Group 1 company. The Duke of Cambridge was officially a Group 1 but it had the quality of a Group 1 and I would be hopeful that Aljazzi can reverse those placings with Qemah.”
“It looks like Andrea Atzeni may be claimed to ride in France on Saturday so I am hoping that Adam Kirby will be available to ride her. The going shouldn’t be a problem as she has won on fast and soft and seems to handle anything.”
