Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), who extended her win streak to five with a first Group 1 win in Royal Ascot's Commonwealth Cup last week, has been given an entry in the G1 Darley July Cup at Newmarket July 9.
“We would like to run Quiet Reflection in the Darley July Cup as it is one of the world's top Group 1 sprints and so has to be on her agenda,” said trainer Karl Burke. “It's hard to know how strong the Commonwealth Cup form will prove but it's encouraging that last year's winner [the subsequent Darley July Cup winner Muhaarar] turned out to be a superstar, and Quiet Reflection could do no more than beat the horses that were put in front of her at Ascot.”
Of the competition that could emerge from the older brigade, Burke added, “The fact that only half a length separated the first five home in the [G1] Diamond Jubilee S. [at Royal Ascot] is a positive in terms of wanting to take them on.”
The conditioner warned, however, that Quiet Reflection's participation would hinge on her well being.
“We do have to be mindful that Quiet Reflection has been on the go for a long time and she would need to be 110% to run,” he said. “But there is nothing else for her, over six furlongs at least, for eight weeks after the Darley July Cup, so that gives us scope to give her a bit of a break after Newmarket.”
“It just depends how she is–we will probably leave it until the confirmation stage, five days before the race, before making a decision,” he added. “Every time she's run there has been some give in the ground so her ability to handle anything quicker is an unknown. If it came up fast at Newmarket that would come into consideration.”
The 36 remaining in the July Cup following Wednesday's scratching stage also include Commonwealth third Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}); his stablemate and 2-year-old champion Air Force Blue (War Front); the first four finishers of the Diamond Jubilee, including winner Twilight Son (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}); and GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winners Mongolian Saturday (Any Given Saturday) and Bobby's Kitten (Kitten's Joy).
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