Tattersalls October Auction Stakes: "She has a very good chance"

A field of 26 runners is set to go to post for Saturday’s £150,000 Tattersalls October Auction Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile. Previously run over six furlongs, the £150,000 contest is open exclusively to graduates of Books 3 and 4 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale as well as the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale.

Karl Burke, who has enjoyed another stellar season with his juveniles, saddles HALF SOVEREIGN, a progressive filly who has looked a smart prospect throughout the year. The daughter of Ten Sovereigns comes into the race on a four-race winning streak and looks poised to step up into Stakes company before long after an end-to-end win on her last outing at Doncaster. She was a 12,000 guineas purchase from Petches Farm by her trainer at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale.

Sam James, who has ridden Half Sovereign on four of her five starts is relishing tomorrow’s opportunity as he said: “Half Sovereign has been in great form all year. She hasn’t done anything wrong in any of her starts and obviously won very well last time when I was out injured. She won well at the July course for me on her start before that. She’s a filly on the up and seems to be improving with every start so hopefully she can step forward again and she looks to be there with a very good chance off a light weight.”

Another leading contender is TRUE TEST, trained by William Knight. The filly won her first two starts before stepping into Group 2 company at Deauville. She was last seen finishing second in a competitive conditions race at Newbury and now lines up as a major player. A daughter of Time Test, she was picked up for just 20,000 guineas from Barton Stud at the Tattersalls Somerville Sale and is one of four by the sire in Saturday’s field. Others include STARLIGHT TIME, a debut winner for Roger Varian; the maiden winner and Listed-placed MYSTIC MOMENT, who represents Eve Johnson Houghton; and James Fanshawe’s maiden winner WHAT’S THE PLAN.

Speaking ahead of the race, Knight said: “TRUE TEST has been a real success, she’s already won two GBB bonuses and was second in a competitive conditions race the other day. We’re now running for great prize money. Provided the ground is okay, she’ll take her chance and gets in off a low weight. She’s been a really good buy for 20,000 guineas - not expensive, and a real success story.”

Another unbeaten contender is COLORI FOREVER, trained by Marco Botti. The Bated Breath colt was an impressive debut winner and had Saturday’s rival ROSA INGLESA back in second. Rosa Inglesa, trained by Charlie Fellowes, has since advertised that form with a two-length win at Chelmsford.

Saturday's race has been a long-term plan for Colori Forever as Marco Botti told Tattersalls: 

“Colori forever has been training well. It’s been the plan since he won first time out and he should appreciate the soft ground. Obviously, he lacks experience, especially in a big field but based on ratings and form he looks very competitive - we are hopeful of a good run.”

Fellowes said: "ROSA INGLESA is a really sweet filly with a lovely way of going. She made a very good debut against a horse she reopposes tomorrow - they challenged on either side of the track and she thought she’d won her race, but Marco Botti’s horse was over on the far side. She then went on and won easily at Chelmsford.

“I think the seven furlongs at Newmarket will really suit her, she’ll stay the trip well, and she’ll stay further in time. I don’t mind any rain either; she’ll handle a bit of cut in the ground and she’s very nicely weighted.

“I think she goes there with a really solid each-way chance to pick up some prize money, and I’d be disappointed if she doesn’t show up nicely."

One of the more eye-catching entries is ACCIDENTAL BID from the Adrian Nicholls yard. Although still a maiden, he was beaten less than a length by Be The Standard at Thirsk - solid form, with that winner previously finishing runner-up to Bow Echo, the subsequent Group 2 Royal Lodge victor.

Connections of BLAKEFELL will be hoping for better luck than last time, having been denied a clear run in the £300,000 Weatherbys Scientific Two-Year-Old Stakes at Doncaster. The same contest saw JEL PEPPER, trained by Oliver Cole, also meet trouble in running before finishing seventh.

Syndicate favourite Nick Bradley will be doubly represented. WETSAND, a dual winner trained by James Owen, was an 18,000 guineas Book 3 purchase at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale from Rathbarry Stud. She’s joined by debutante MARIA DA SILVA, who will be aiming to land the valuable prize on her first racecourse appearance.

Archie Watson, who landed the £100,000 Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes earlier this season with Sioux Perfect, will be represented by maiden winner CASTRILLO, another value buy at just 8,000 guineas from Culworth Grounds at Book 3 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

The next sale to take place at Tattersalls is Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Europe’s Premier Yearling Sale which takes place from Tuesday 7th to Thursday 9th October at Park Paddocks in Newmarket. Please visit www.tattersalls.com to view the catalogue and for more information.