For long-standing owner/breeder Jeff Smith, it doesn't get better than this. A homebred with a leading chance in a Glorious Goodwood group 1 is the pinnacle for a man who has achieved so much success at the meeting.
The July 31 Nassau Stakes (G1) is the one notable Goodwood race to have eluded the Hampshire-based Smith, whose famous silks have been carried with such distinction on the Sussex Downs by the likes of Persian Punch, Lochsong, and Alcohol Free.
Last year his filly See The Fire came so close to filling the void when beaten a neck by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Opera Singer, but following her 12-length tour de force in the Middleton Stakes (G2) at York in May and a pleasing third against her male counterparts in last month's Prince of Wales's Stakes (G1), the Andrew Balding-trained 4-year-old is a different proposition this time.
"Andrew's pretty upbeat and reckons she's in great shape," Smith said. "She's been in great form—that was pretty spectacular at York and it was an excellent run at Royal Ascot. She ran very well in the race last year when she went very close."
Ballydoyle appears to be standing in the way again with Epsom Oaks (G1) runner-up and Pretty Polly Stakes (G1) winner Whirl holding outstanding claims of continuing the 3-year-old domination of a race which has gone to a member of the classic generation seven times in the last decade.
"Whirl has looked very good and the 9-pound difference is obviously the issue, but we'll see," Smith said. "We've had the odd success at Goodwood, that's for sure, and it's very exciting."
The rampant Balding, whose big-race winning spree in the last 4 1/2 weeks includes the Northumberland Plate, Old Newton Cup, Summer Mile Stakes (G2), and John Smith's Cup, believes See The Fire could be about to make her group 1 breakthrough.
"She has started this year in fabulous form and was very impressive in the Middleton, winning a group 2 in easy fashion, and then she ran a super race at Ascot against the boys in the Prince of Wales's," he said.
"As a 3-year-old, we didn't see the best of her until we got to the Nassau at Goodwood, where she was narrowly beaten. Then she went on and won the Strensall Stakes against older colts at York.
"There's evidence to suggest she's improving all the time and she certainly looks to have done so physically. She's an exciting filly and hopefully the best is to come."
Can Cercene produce another fairy tale?
Having seen a lifetime's work come to fruition at Royal Ascot, Irish trainer Joe Murphy must believe anything is possible as Coronation Stakes (G1) winner Cercene aims for more glory.
Last month's shock 33-1 success over Zarigana was the stuff of dreams for the family-run County Tipperary stable, and although the Irish Oaks (G1) was under consideration for the daughter of Australia, a return trip to Britain over 1 1/4 miles was preferred.
Cercene has shown other fine form over a mile, finishing third behind Lake Victoria in the Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1), and the step up in trip could bring out further improvement.
Murphy said: "We're very happy with her since Ascot. She's very straightforward and is sensible in her races, and we'll find out how we get on up in trip, but we always thought she would get further than a mile.
"She deserves her chance after her runs at the Curragh and Royal Ascot."
Cercene's regular rider Gary Carroll, for whom the Coronation was also a maiden top-flight victory, continues the partnership having served the 14-day ban he received for his overuse of the whip in the winning ride at Ascot.
The winner of the Nassau will gain a guaranteed start in the Nov. 1 Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1T) at Del Mar via the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In. As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees and provide a travel allowance for the winner of the Nassau to compete in the World Championships. The winner of the Nassau Stakes will also gain automatic entry to the Pegasus World Cup Filly and Mare Turf Invitational Stakes (G1T) early next year at Gulfstream Park. That automatic entry includes a $25,000 travel allowance, VIP hospitality at the Pegasus World Cup on race day; and accommodation and hospitality at the Goodwood Festival.
