Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies Stakes

Richard Hannon trainee Orion's Belt (Starman), a debut fourth at Salisbury last month, made all for an impressive 3 3/4-length success in Saturday's Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket and became the 15th winner for her freshman sire (by Dutch Art). The seven-furlong test went the way of subsequent G1 Fillies' Mile and G1 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower (Night Of Thunder) last year. "She's a very nice filly and that was exactly what we thought earlier on in the year," said the Hannon stable's Tony Gorman. "She...

Newmarket's G1 July Cup card began in style when Godolphin's hitherto unraced Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}--Promising Run, by Hard Spun) powered away from nine rivals to earn a 'TDN Rising Star' rosette in Saturday's £21,000 Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes over seven furlongs. The homebred daughter of four-time Group 2 victrix Promising Run (Hard Spun) was a touch hesitant at the break and chased the leaders in fourth through the initial fractions. Nudged along soon after passing halfway, the 5-2 second favourite bounded to the fore...