Global Weekly Review: Sobetsu stays at home for Fillies’ Mile

The next few weeks of the European season will see scores of 2017 Classic contenders unveiled as trainers seek an end-of-year target that will act as a guide to the juvenile's potential before the long winter ahead.

Exciting, no doubt, but in some instances, disappointing, if standards are not met. Gallops at home, and to some extent pedigree, are all some trainers have to go on....thus far.

Not so Godolphin's Charlie Appleby, who at the weekend saw the racecourse evidence that the beautifully-bred filly Sobetsu has progressed to the point where she is a feasible Oaks aspirant for next year.

Sobetsu, a daughter of Dubawi, is out of a mare directly descended from Doff The Derby, who produced Generous and Imagine, both Classic winners at Epsom.

The bloodlines are merely reassuring backup, because what observers witnessed in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes, over one mile at Newmarket, was a performance that was convincing and impressive in every respect. She won by 10 lengths, galloping clear.

Sobetsu is a highly-talented racehorse, who should get better with more experience and a continual step-up in distance. She was third on debut over seven furlongs (not a bad effort behind well-regarded Spatial) and has continued on the upgrade.

Appleby said: "The biggest thing about her second run was the step up to one mile. Going into that zone allows the stamina to kick in, and that is what you saw on Saturday.

"She has come out of the race very well," the trainer added. "She is under consideration for both the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly and the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.

"But I think she is more likely to go for the Fillies' Mile. She has shown she acts well on the track -- and, for convenience, it is just up the road. It will not be a long trip, away from home, which is what France would be," he added.

The other pleasing Godolphin performance at Newmarket came from Penglai Pavilion, who won the Cesarewitch Trial, over two miles two furlongs, by a comfortable 3 lengths. It was the gelding's first win on the Flat in three years, and Appleby will now aim him at the G1 Prix du Cadran in France.

In Australia, Hartnell landed the G2 Hill Stakes at Randwick, and although he was over overshadowed on the day by the brilliant Winx registering her 11th consecutive win, he continues to excel at weight-for-age and has never raced better in 3 campaigns Down Under.