Gosden hopeful Logan can rise to challenge at Santa Anita

Improving three-year-old goes for Filly & Mare Turf.

After another stellar season, John Gosden is hoping to finish with a flourish through prolific winner Fanny Logan in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf.

The three-year-old has won her last four races, three at Listed level and a Group Three last time out.

She steps up markedly in grade at Santa Anita – but given her improvement of late, Gosden has been encouraged to roll the big dice.

“I think she’s very much on an upward curve,” he said.

“There’s been a lot of improvement since we fitted her with a hood and dropped her back on the distance ladder and she deserves to take her chance.”

As ever in the turf races, the European challenge is strong, with Aidan O’Brien sending the consistent Fleeting, placed in a handful of Group Ones this season but without a win since the May Hill at Doncaster as a juvenile.

“Fleeting is a filly I have taken my time with and she’s not quite enjoyed the rub of the green,” said O’Brien.

“I thought she didn’t get the best of runs behind Star Catcher at Ascot – it didn’t work out for her that day, but she’s very well and I think we can look forward to another good run from her.”

His son Joseph fields Iridessa, a multiple Group One winner.

He said: “I’ve been delighted with Iridessa throughout the year, she’s held her form really well, winning two good races in Ireland – the Pretty Polly and the Matron – and she again acquitted herself with credit when third in the Sun Chariot.

“She’s travelled over well and I was pleased with the little spin she had on Thursday.”

Richard Hannon has got last year’s 1000 Guineas winner Billesdon Brook back to her best this season, although she needs to prove she can stay 10 furlongs.

Part-owner Janette McCreery said: “Sean (Levey) took the filly out to do some schooling through the gate, when she had to go through the procedure of the bell ringing and he said she was as cool as a cucumber, which is a very good sign.”

Castle Lady is another strong European contender. The French Guineas winner was second in a Group One at Keeneland last time out.

Lisa-Jane Graffard told www.godolphin.com: “Castle Lady stayed out in Keeneland after her second in the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup and travelled to Santa Anita last week. She has adapted really well to the surroundings and we couldn’t be happier with her.

“There is a slight question mark over the distance, but it is an easy mile and a quarter around Santa Anita.”

The one they all have to beat, though, is Chad Brown’s Sistercharlie, last year’s winner.

“As a sportsman we’d like to face the best field possible, so it’s a shame that Magical was ill and couldn’t run,” said Brown.

“It definitely makes the race easier, but there’s some other really nice fillies in there and she’s going to have run a really good race to win.

“She gives me a great feel right now. Nothing ever surprises me in horse racing, but I’d be surprised if she didn’t give a really good effort.”

As Brown mentioned there is a big hole in O’Brien’s team with Magical missing and as a result his best chance of a winner could be Circus Maximus in the Mile.

The St James’s Palace and Prix du Moulin winner will need some Ryan Moore magic from stall nine.

“Circus Maximus is a lovely horse by Galileo, who benefited from a switch back in trip and that really made him come alive,” said O’Brien.

“He’s a lazy horse at home, but when he gets to the track he’s completely different and can quicken up very well when he’s running.

“I’m very happy with the team in general, and of course I’m looking forward to the meeting, as I always do.”

James Tate’s Hey Gaman, Richard Fahey’s Space Traveller and the David O’Meara duo of Lord Glitters and Suedois are also in the European team.

In the Classic, Bob Baffert’s McKinzie looks like going off favourite after a consistent season, although Mike Smith has been replaced after a defeat last time out.

“I thought I had to do something different, so I put Joel Rosario up,” said Baffert.

“Every time he gets beat it’s very frustrating because I think of my friend Brad McKinzie, who died of cancer at 62 in August 2017.

“It was very frustrating to lose the Met Mile because he was so good that day. I really don’t blame Mike Smith that much, as he had to make a decision there and he made the wrong one.

“I just want the horse to show up. There’s a lot on the line. There’s championships on the line. There is Horse of the Year on the line.

“That’s the beauty of the Breeders’ Cup. They are going to give out lots of championships this weekend, I just hope that some of mine are on that list.”

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