Mi Moment

Unbeaten and as a consequence totally unexposed, Lady Lloyd-Webber's So Mi Dar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) looks poised for a breakthrough in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix de l'Opera at Chantilly. Impressive when winning the G3 Musidora S. over an extended 10 furlongs at York May 11, the homebred dealt with a penalty and some smart rivals with ease on her return to action in the Listed John Musker Fillies' S. over this trip at Yarmouth last time Sept. 14. Simon Marsh, racing manager for her owner-breeders, said, “She's in very good shape, John [Gosden] is very happy with her and she's ready to take her chance. It was frustrating to miss the middle part of the season. Hopefully she can make up for it on Sunday, but these races are never easy. It's a big step up from a listed race to a group one and there are some other nice fillies in the race. I don't think the ground makes too much difference to her.” Last year's G1 Irish 1000 Guineas and G1 Yorkshire Oaks heroine Pleascach (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) is making her seasonal debut, having been off since finishing fourth in the G1 Irish Champion S. at Leopardstown last September, but trainer Jim Bolger can ready one for a top-level contest off such a lengthy break and he said, “Pleascach has had a few setbacks through the year, which have kept her off the track, but she is in good shape now. We are expecting a good performance from her.” In a weak-looking renewal in which the home-trained fillies look below the required standard, Helena Springfield Ltd's Speedy Boarding (GB) (Shamardal) holds claims on her latest win in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville Aug. 21. “She won very nicely at Deauville and is in good form,” trainer James Fanshawe said. “We're very happy with her and we just hope for some luck in running. I think a bit of rain would be good for everyone.”