Candy has La Rioja ready for Sandy Lane Stakes

La Rioja could have a Royal Ascot date in her diary if running well in this afternoon's Gr.2 188Bet Sandy Lane Stakes (15.45).

The three-year-old filly trained by Henry Candy (pictured below) for Qatar Racing is one of eight runners in what is a highly-competitive sprint. Her own chance of winning will not be dismissed by rivals, however, for she won a maiden by five lengths and was an emphatic winner of the Gr.3 Dick Poole Stakes from just three starts as a juvenile.

The maiden win was gained on good to firm ground, the Dick Poole on soft, but Candy would prefer the going not to be too firm for today's assignment. Following her winter break her trainer says: ‚"She is working nicely and looking the part now.‚"

Although today's test is confined to three-year-olds they have all compiled impressive win ratios likely favourite Gifted Master has won his last five races. Royal Ascot's Commonwealth Cup is likely to be next on the agenda for today's winner.

Get Up And Dance became the latest winning filly for Qatar Racing when scoring impressively at Pontefract yesterday evening. The daughter of Qatar Bloodstock stallion Makfi is owned in partnership with Clipper Logistics in a field of ten, she beat the runner-up by five lengths.

Other European runners today involve the maidens Sabrewing, who runs for Robert Cowell's stable at Catterick (17.45), and Lustrous Light, who is a runner for Ger Lyons at Navan (17.55).