Lady Of The Desert leads Cheveley contenders
A classy field of nine will go to post for the Electrolux Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket on Friday, headed by 1000 Guineas favourite Lady Of The Desert.
Trained by Brian Meehan, the Rahy filly was an impressive winner of the Lowther Stakes last time to take her tally to three wins in four starts, with her only defeat coming at Royal Ascot.
Meehan won the race in 2004 and 2005 with Magical Romance and Donna Blini respectively.
However, Lady Of The Desert is unlikely to have things all her own way with Ed Dunlop’s Albany Stakes winner Habaayib in the line-up.
She met with defeat in the Cherry Hinton but connections thought she was below par that day.
Clive Brittain’s Misheer won the Cherry Hinton but found five furlongs too quick on her latest start in the Flying Childers, with that event going to Godolphin’s Sand Vixen who reopposes here.
Adding to a classy home team is William Haggas’ money-spinning Shamandar, winner of the Watership Down Stud Sales Race at Ascot last week.
The is also a strong overseas challenge with the much-respected Criquette Head-Maarek sending over Special Duty.
The filly was last seen splitting Arcano and Canford Cliffs in the Prix Morny and Head-Maarek has a fine record in the race, sending Pas de Response to victory in 1996.
David Wachman also sends over Listed winner Song Of My Heart from his County Tipperary base while the field is completed by Paul Cole’s Nimue and Ralph Beckett’s Puff.
