Brushed aside by fillies that are perhaps speedier at this stage of their career in the G2 Lowther S., Khalid Abdullah's Fair Eva (GB) (Frankel {GB}) steps up to what promises to be a more suitable seven-furlong trip as she bids to enhance her Classic pretensions in Friday's G2 Shadwell Rockfel S. at Newmarket. Not disgraced when losing her unbeaten tag in third behind Queen Kindly (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Roly Poly (War Front) in that six-furlong test at York Aug. 18, the homebred–who had previously impressed when powering to a first black-type win for her sire over that trip in the G3 Princess Margaret S. at Ascot July 23–sets a high standard here. “She's come out of York in good form,” the owner-breeder's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe commented. “She's worked well recently and she's in good shape. We hope the step up to seven furlongs will suit her.”
If she falters, there are several here who could take advantage including Roberto Cocheteux Tierno's Aug. 3 Listed Criterium du Bequet winner Spain Burg (Fr) (Sageburg {Ire}). Recording a first black-type success in that six-furlong La Teste de Buch contest, the bay would be fulfilling a dream for trainer Xavier Thomas-Demaulte. “I have been aiming Spain Burg at the Rockfel S. ever since she won the Criterium du Bequet–there was nothing in France that fitted into her schedule,” he said. “The ground does not matter for her–she has won on good to firm and heavy, but the straight course may be a big surprise for her.”
One of the unknown quantities is James Wigan's Exmouth (GB) (Elusive Quality), a homebred daughter of his G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner Havant (GB) (Halling) who made an impressive winning start for the Sir Michael Stoute stable over six furlongs at Yarmouth Aug. 28.
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