Kalpana proves a class apart in September Stakes

Kalpana looked to book her ticket to the Champions Day with an authoritative display in the Unibet September Stakes at Kempton.

Trainer : ANDREW BALDING. Picture: AAP Image

The Andrew Balding-trained filly was sent off a well-backed even-money favourite to follow up her impressive success in the Listed Glasgow Stakes at Hamilton last month and for those who had backed the Juddmonte-owned contender, there was never much doubt, as Kalpana travelled strongly in the box seat under PJ McDonald.

John and Thady Gosden's Lion's Pride kicked for home, but the move was always covered by Kalpana, who quickened up in fine style before stretching away for a commanding four-and-three-quarter-length victory.

The daughter of Study Of Man was cut to 7/2 (from 8s) by William Hill for the Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot and the winning rider is confident she can play a major role at the top level.

Speaking with Racing TV, he said: "One hundred per cent (I can see her being aimed at a Group 1), I can't see no reason (why not). Personally, I think she's still a bit green and raw. I think she will continue to improve with time and age. I'd be very excited about her.

"It's very hard to say (how she would rank against the best horses I have ridden), I don't like to compare horses, but this filly has so much more improvement to give. I think the sky is the limit for her, to be honest.

"It was very smooth; I was always in control, and I felt at every stage of the race I was doing things easily.

"She did it very easily at Hamilton, but today I properly sat into her, gave her a flick (of my whip) and let her stretch – you could see the further she was going, the better she was going. She galloped out to the line so well."

Earlier on the card, Symbol Of Strength backed up his third-place finish in the Gimcrack at York last month when digging deep to land the Group 3 Unibet Sirenia Stakes.

The easy-to-back 5/2 market leader stayed on strongly to deny Andrew Balding's Jouncy, with Brian finishing best of all to grab third.

Paddy Power cut the winner to 14/1 (from 25s) for the Juddmonte Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, although trainer Adrian Keatley is also keen to consider the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes.

He said: "It will very much depend on the ground. We'll be keeping an eye on both of those races and all the doors are open for him now. We will be looking closely at Newbury, but also with a view to looking at Newmarket.

"His form is right there; the horse is well up in the betting for the Middle Park and he was thereabouts in York as well last time.

"He has put that to bed today with probably everything against him as he was well back and got the job done.

"He's not just a two-year-old, I think he could step back to five furlongs, but also, he races sensibly and he could get seven next year.

"We will be looking at all the big races now and I think we're entitled to."


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