3 minute read
Charlie Hills is convinced Kiyoshi retains plenty of ability ahead of the Japan Racing Association Sceptre Stakes at Doncaster on Friday.
The Dubawi filly looked to have the world at her feet when she landed the Group Three Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot but, surprisingly, has not graced the winner's enclosure since then.
She was, though, placed in two Group Ones later that season, but this term began badly when she was hit with a virus, though H ills says that is finally behind her and she is now in peak shape.
"I think Kiyoshi will run a big race in the Sceptre. She worked really good last week," said the Lambourn handler.
"She was really quite sick in the spring. She had to take a lot of antibiotics which knocked her for six.
"Her season is just coming together. She got stuck in the mud last time out at Deauville so we can put a line through that, we didn't learn anything new there.
"We're going to try her in cheekpieces now as she's worked very well in them at home. This looks a good spot for her. It's a competitive race but if she came back to her best I'd like to think she'd be the one they all have to beat.
"It's great they are going to keep her in training for next year. She's got bags of talent."
Kiyoshi was sixth in Deauville, where Evita Peron was another length and a half back, dead-heating for sixth.
Trainer Ralph Beckett said: "Evita Peron is in good shape. She came out of Deauville better than I could have hoped given the hard race she had on horrible ground.
"It's possible that a mile might stretch her because she travels very well.
"The Sceptre Stakes looks the obvious race for her and she too will appreciate a bit of juice. I think she will run well."
Lucky Kristale is another filly who had excellent form as a two-year-old, winning the Group Two Duchess of Cambridge Stakes and the Lowther Stakes, but has not lived up to expectations this term.
Trainer George Margarson said: "She's in top form, I've had a clear run with her for the last two months.
"She was ready a month after Royal Ascot and she's been peaking since August, but there's been nowhere to go with her.
"I didn't want to step her straight down to six from the mile. She's been working really well.
"Tom Queally sat on her last week and Jimmy Quinn rode her on Saturday. Both gave her the thumbs-up and think she's at the top of her game.
"She's given me every indication everything is right. Hopefully she'll go from this to the Benbough Stakes at Ascot and then the Qipco Champions Sprint, with a bit of luck."
J Wonder looked smart when returning to form in the Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Brian Meehan's inmate has a 3lb penalty for that success but connections believe she could be good enough to defy the burden.
"This was the logical race to go for after that success (at Goodwood) and she has been working very nicely in her build up," read a statement posted on the Manton trainer's website, www.brianmeehan.co.uk.
"It looks a tough race to win, and she has a 3lb penalty, but if she reproduces the same turn of foot as she showed last time, she has a great chance."
Token Of Love has earned the chance in Group class after landing a Listed success over a mile at Haydock last time, though trainer William Haggas would prefer the going to be quicker.
"She'd prefer the ground a bit faster, but she's due a step up in grade." he said.
"There doesn't appear to be an awful lot for her in Europe for the rest of the season, so we've decided to go for this and we'll see how we get on.
"She's coming back in trip from a mile to seven furlongs, but Joe Fanning said after he won on her at Haydock it wouldn't be a problem."