Saffron Beach enters Breeders’ Cup frame following Newmarket victory

Graham Clark
October 9, 2020 2:15 pm

Chapple-Hyam eager to go to America with Oh So Sharp winner.

Saffron Beach set up a potential outing at next month’s Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland with victory in the Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.

Having run out an impressive winner over course and distance on her debut 13 days ago, the Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained filly took a step up in class in her stride in the seven-furlong Group Three.

Moving into contention approaching the final quarter of a mile, the 9-4 favourite found plenty for pressure to hold off the attentions of Thank You Next by half a length.

Following the race, Saffron Beach was introduced at 10-1 for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf by Paddy Power.

Chapple-Hyam said: “That was very good and the staff at home have done a wonderful job. She is a quick learner and I’d love to have a crack at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland, if the owners will allow me.

“We know she is good. I had Annie Skates who was second in the Juvenile Fillies’ race at the Breeders’ Cup and this one is probably a quicker learner than Annie.

“For what she has done at home, we thought this was a suitable step up in grade. She has got a good lead horse in Suzi’s Connoisseur, so thank God for him. The old nine-year-old dog came good!”

The @JaneChappleHyam trained Saffron Beach sets up a potential trip to next month’s Breeders’ Cup meeting @keenelandracing after claiming Group Three glory in the Oh So Sharp Stakes @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/GaOCumDmgq
— Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) October 9, 2020

Winter Power showed no signs of a busy campaign catching up with her after making virtually all to claim the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes.

The Tim Easterby-trained daughter of Bungle Inthejungle secured her fourth victory from nine starts this season with a clear-cut success in the Group Three prize.

Although briefly headed midway through the five-furlong dash, the 10-1 shot, who claimed Listed honours at Ayr on her last outing, quickly pressed on once regaining the initiative to cross the line three lengths clear of runner-up and favourite, Method.

Winter Power was too good for her rivals in the Cornwallis Stakes (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

Winning jockey Silvestre de Sousa said: “She won quite well at Ayr and has bounced back in great form. She has done really well and won very easily. She just ran in a very competitive race (Flying Childers) at Doncaster where I got beat on her.

“She has shown me plenty of encouragement today to travel very handy and when I asked her the question coming down the dip she handled it well and put the race to bed very nicely.”

The Tim Easterby trained Winter Power after claiming Group Three glory under @SilvDSousa in the Cornwallis Stakes @NewmarketRace pic.twitter.com/qyMHfqkgsy
— Graham Clark (@GrahamClark85) October 9, 2020

Despite Winter Power – who was introduced at 25-1 for the Commonwealth Cup with William Hill and 33-1 by Betfair – being campaigned exclusively over five furlongs this season, De Sousa believes that with time she might get a bit further.

He added: “This year five is as far as we want to go, but we are nearly at the end of the season and with another couple of months on her back six furlongs will be suitable.

“I think when she fills up over the winter she might just strengthen up. I don’t know how good she will be, but she will always be in the mix in good races.”