A truly International Saturday for Qatar Racing
The Qatar Racing colours will be carried by horses on four different continents on Saturday, including in Gr. 1 company.
The day starts early as Endless Drama contests the Gr. 1 The Star Doncaster Mile Handicap at Royal Randwick in Australia at 7:30 GMT. Endless Drama won his first race Down Under when getting up on the line in the Gr. 2 Apollo Stakes over seven furlongs at the track on his penultimate start, and the return to a mile doesn't hold any fears as he won over the trip in Ireland, where he was also second to Gleneagles in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. Glyn Schofield takes the ride as Endless Drama tries to beat 15 rivals in the $3 million Doncaster Mile.
An hour and 35 minutes later (11:05 GMT) the action switches to Kenilworth in South Africa where Frank Lloyd Wright will bid to go one place better than on his debut. A Southern Hemisphere 3-year-old, Frank Lloyd Wright showed lots of natural ability when beaten a head over six furlongs at the track on his debut in February. He's well regarded by his trainer Justin Snaith and should take plenty of beating.
Kempton in Britain comes next, with Soul Silver attempting to get black type in the Listed Betfred 'Home of Goals Galore' Snowdrop Fillies' Stakes (15:15) and Kings Shield putting his unbeaten record on the line in the Betfred 'Like Us On Facebook' Conditions Stakes (16:25), both over a mile. A poor draw meant Soul Silver was soon on the back foot on All-Weather Championships Day last Friday and hopefully she gets a fairer crack at things here, though it will be difficult against some smart females.
We're naturally very excited to see what Kings Shield does next after his winning debut at Newcastle last November. His 675,000-guinea price tag means he has more to live up to than most, and this race does not look a penatly kick on paper, but he's been doing everything right at home. He's a son of the late Scat Daddy - whose final crop are two-year-olds - and it would be fantastic if he could go to the top.
The day is rounded off by Treasuring running in the Gr. 3 Providencia Stakes (21:30 GMT) over nine furlongs on turf at Santa Anita in the United States. Many will remember Treasuring winning the Gr. 3 Curragh Stakes for Ger Lyons last season - giving her sire Havana Gold his second Stakes winner - but this will be her fourth start for California-based trainer Simon Callaghan. She was runner-up in the Listed China Doll Stakes last time and hopefilly can do even better for the extra furlong.