Veracious drops in class seeking first triumph in Group company

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Veracious, whose only victory to date came in a Newmarket maiden, tries to deliver the Pattern success her two third places in Group 1 events suggest she is capable of.

She has kept the best company so far, suffering defeat behind Alpha Centauri and Threading in the Coronation Stakes over a mile and Wild Illusion and Urban Fox at ten furlongs in the Nassau Stakes.

Her Nassau run was her best yet on Racing Post Ratings but Sir Michael Stoute brings her back to a mile for what should be a less daunting challenge against a field that includes Laugh Aloud, who is returning from injury, and improving course-and-distance winner Awesometank.

Chris Richardson, managing director of Cheveley Park Stud, which owns Veracious, said: "We're hoping this will give her an opportunity to get her head in front.

"She's come out of her last race very well. She's going back to a mile and was quite free in running in the early part of the Nassau. It was really the first race she'd ever had in fairness.

"Before the Coronation she'd been off a long time and in that scenario, rather than being fresh and fighting for her head, we let her bowl along and obviously she was beaten by a superstar, which was no disgrace. She had to race quite competitively so hopefully she has learned from the experience."

Laugh Aloud was showing the promise of a potential Group 1 filly early last year when she completed two impressive wins, including a five-length success in the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom. She was favourite for the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot when withdrawn due to heat in a leg.

She is one of two Godolphin challengers along with Winter Lightning, four lengths behind Veracious when they met last year on debut at Newmarket, and having her first start since a well-beaten third in the UAE Oaks.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor said: "Winter Lightning did well in Dubai earlier this year, winning twice, including the UAE 1,000 Guineas, but had a setback after finishing third in the UAE Oaks.

“We gave her a break and she has been doing well since coming back into training. This looks to be a nice trip for her and we're looking to see a good run."

Awesometank made all to win a Listed race at Sandown in July from Desert Diamond, who won her next start by six lengths.

Trainer William Haggas said: "She has hit a really strong race. She's really well and been waiting for this, but I would think Veracious will be very hard to beat."

Tom Dascombe fears the race could be too tough a test for Listed-placed New Day Dawn at this stage of her career.

"She improves 10lb for each run and she will need to improve 10lb for another run to be competitive, but she is definitely going the right way," he said.

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