Fife back in the money for Smerdon

Four-year-old filly Fife was back in the money at Sandown-Hillside in Australia today when finishing second in a Aus$40,000 handicap over 1,400m (seven furlongs).

Qatar Racing's daughter of Starcraft, who was ridden by Ben Thompson for trainer Robert Smerdon (right), went down by 0.8l to Gold Fontein, with Lady Skills a further 1.3l in arrears. The result might have been different had Fife not lost ground at the start when the gates opened, and then been held up when trying to make a run in the straight. Smerdon was pleased with her effort, and said: "More distance and easier going and we will be on our way."

Britain's turf season opens on Saturday at Doncaster Qatar Racing has a couple of entries, and declarations will be known tomorrow, Thursday and there is more all-weather action for the rest of this week. Wishing Time, a daughter of Frankel owned in partnership with Clipper Logistics, is due to run tomorrow in a maiden at Wolverhampton (14.40) for trainer David O'Meara. Oisin Murphy will be in the saddle.