POET's Vanity took a significant step up in class in her stride to land the visionsport.com Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.

A promising fourth on her July Course debut during the summer, Andrew Balding's filly built on that effort in some style when she cruised clear at Salisbury last month.

Poet's Vanity was a 13-2 chance as she tested the water at Group Three level and after having tracked the pacesetting Asidious Alexander, she took over the running heading inside the final two furlongs.

Glitter Girl soon emerged as the biggest threat, but Poet's Vanity never looked in danger of being caught and passed the post a length to the good under Oisin Murphy.

Unforgetable Filly was best of the rest in third, with French challenger and 3-1 favourite Double Lady only fifth after she failed to pick up sufficiently from the rear.

Murphy said: "It's only her third run of her life so it's very encouraging.

"She maybe didn't handle the dip particularly well but she's still learning."

Balding hopes his filly can develop into a realistic contender for next year's 1000 Guineas.

He said: "She's got a lot of physical scope, so she's really one to look forward to next year.

"She showed she handles the track, so it's exciting to think she might come back here in May.

"It looked like she was doing all her best work at the finish, which is really encouraging.

"As long as she winters well and is working well in the spring, I don't see why we wouldn't (target the 1000 Guineas).

"I had to work her with a colt last week as she was demoralising the other fillies.

"We've got some nice two-year-olds going into next year and hopefully they'll bring each other on.

"It's nice that the horses are still running well at this time of the year."

Runner-up Glitter Girl carries the colours of Cheveley Park Stud, whose managing director Chris Richardson said: "She's just kept improving and is as game as a pebble.

"Ryan Moore gave her a great ride on the pace and I just wonder if she failed to quite get home.

"We might drop her back to a stiff six (furlongs) or keep her to a very easy seven."

Unforgetable Filly's trainer Hugo Palmer said of his inmate: "She ran a great race and she should never have been favourite in her last race here.

"I'm delighted and it's all about next year for her.

"We'll take in a Guineas trial and hopefully go for the 1000 Guineas, if we get through the winter in one piece."

Meanwhile Aclaim continued his swift rise through the ranks with victory in the Dubai 100 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket.

Frankie Dettori rode a patient race aboard Martyn Meade's inmate as Lumiere and Gifted Master spearheaded two clear groups for much of the seven-furlong journey.

As Gifted Master wilted, Aclaim hit the front in the stands' side group and got up to beat Lumiere by a length to bring up a hat-trick.

Dettori said: "He probably wants a bit more cut in the ground. He was very courageous for me.

"It's a solid Group Two race. He can only improve, this horse."

Meade added: "The horse has progressed and progressed. We had to give him time to mature.

"He has all the right attributes."

Asked whether Aclaim would run again this season, Meade said: "I think it's probably unlikely, but we'll just have to see how he is.

"He's had a bit of time to mature and he's done us proud.

"I think the ground was just right. The bit of rain just took the sting out of it for him.

"He's never been in better form at home and I was quite confident he'd make a good go of it."

Trainer Mark Johnston was pleased with Lumiere's performance.

He said: "It was a great run, I just wish the race was on the far side as one by one she beat them all off.

"James (Doyle) said she just lot her stride a bit going down the hill and if she'd not have done that, she'd have pinched a couple of lengths.

"That is her pretty much her back to form and John Ferguson said to have a think about America (Breeders' Cup)."

Reflecting on her season overall, the trainer added: "It's been disappointing and that's perfectly fair to say that. We went into the Guineas as confident as I've been in over 10 years.

"I could not see her finishing out of the first three in Guineas and that was the most disappointing day of the year.

"There have been ups and downs since. When she came back to Newmarket she looked like her old self, but then she went to France and disappointed.

"It's been impossible to tell how she is at home as she's never looked to have anything wrong with her."

Asked whether Lumiere will stay in training as a four-year-old, Johnston said: "That will be down to John Ferguson and Sheikh Mohammed."

Jallota was third for Charlie Hills, who said: "He's been a superstar and ran the same consistent race again. He was only beaten a length.

"He's had a long year and we'll give him a nice break and look forward to next year.

"I think seven furlongs is ideal for him."

READ MORE

Source: Read Full Article