Saffron Beach makes plenty of appeal against highly touted Santa Barbara

Saffron Beach
3.40 Newmarket
Buy at 13 on index

Santa Barbara is going to be hard to beat if the vibes from Ballydoyle are correct, but she still has to show on track what she is reportedly doing at home and Saffron Beach is worth a buy.

The Jane Chapple-Hyam-trained filly looked a smart prospect last season when following her maiden win over 7f at this track with a fluent success in the Oh So Sharp Stakes over the same course and distance in October, and there was plenty to like about her recent return.

Saffron Beach suffered her first defeat on that occasion when three-quarters of a length behind Sacred in the Nell Gwyn, but she was simply done for speed over 7f and has a better chance of staying this extra furlong than that rival. In fact, she might even improve for it.

There is plenty of speed in Saffron Beach’s pedigree, but she certainly shapes like she will be well suited by a stiffer test and, if that’s the case, she should run into a place at the very least.

3.40 Newmarket (50-30-20-10) 25-28 Santa Barbara, 12-15 Sacred, 11-14 Alcohol Free, 10-13 Mother Earth, Saffron Beach, 7-9 Statement, 6-8 Fev Rover, Thunder Beauty, 5-7 Vadream, 3-5 Lullaby Moon, 1-3 Seattle Rock, Star Of Emaraaty.

Match bet 0.25-1.25 Sacred/Mother Earth.

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