Doncaster: DFS Park Hill Stakes – Meeznah favourite for Group 2 contest
The highlight of the second day of Doncaster’s St Leger meeting is the DFS Park Hill Stakes (3.45), and it’s a highly competitive renewal, with 12 set to go to post for the Group 2 event.
The form horse is undoubtedly the David Lanigan-trained Meeznah, who was beaten just a neck by Snow Fairy in the Oaks at Epsom in June, and the Dynaformer filly has subsequently performed with credit in the Irish and Yorkshire equivalents of that race.
Judged on pedigree, there’s a good chance that Meeznah will see out this 1¾m trip, and on paper she’s a worthy favourite, available at a top-priced 4-1 with traditional bookmakers at the time of writing.
Next in bookies’ lists is Eastern Aria, who took her form to a new level on her penultimate start when upped to this trip at Goodwood, galloping on strongly to beat Polly’s Mark, who re-opposed on the same terms here, by 2¾ lengths. There’s no reason to suspect that the latter can turn the tables here, and Eastern Aria looks sure to make her presence felt.
Ireland is represented by John Oxx’s Roses For The Lady, who can be backed at 7-1 at the time of writing. The lightly-raced filly ran below expectations when, sent off a warm favourite, she was only third to Rajik in a Listed contest at The Curragh. However, the prospect of a more strongly-run race here will play to her strengths, and stamina is no issue, so better is expected.
Dyna Waltz, winner of a turf Listed race at Lingfield last time, and RUMOUSH are also leading contenders. The latter is particularly interesting, as she shaped as though a stiffer test of stamina would suit when fourth in the Oaks at Epsom, and subsequently ran well over an inadequate trip of 1¼m when third in a Group 3 at Deauville. Marcus Tregoning’s charge makes appeal at around the 8-1 mark.
Earlier on the card, John Dunlop has a good chance of landing the DFS Handicap (2.35) with SPANISH DUKE. The gelding has been raised 9lb for his victory at Newmarket last time, but did the job in the style of a progressive sort, and he can see off Royal Destination and Sweet Lightning.
In the Weatherbys Insurance £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes (3.10), connections of WOOTTON BASSETT look set for another big payday. Iffraaj colt landed a similar event at York’s Ebor meeting in decisive fashion, and looks a Group-class horse in the making. The unbeaten Murbeh could be the one for the forecast.