Stars on show at Salisbury

By Ashley Iveson, Press Association

Quest For Stars seems to have flown under the radar despite winning his first two starts, but that could all change after the British Stallion Studs EBF Stonehenge Stakes at Salisbury on Wednesday.

The Sea The Stars colt was presumably not considered among Charlie Appleby’s top juveniles earlier in the summer, as he lined up for his Doncaster debut as an 18-1 second string behind strongly-fancied stablemate Ottoman Chief.

However, while the latter flattered to deceive, Quest For Stars was as tough as nails on the front end, fighting back after being headed to emerge victorious.

It was a similar story on his second start at Sandown, as having again set out to make all the running he looked at the mercy of the strong-travelling odds-on favourite Lancaster Tower but kept finding under Connor Planas to keep his unbeaten record intact.

There is nothing flashy about Quest For Stars but he knows how to win and with a step up to a mile likely to suit he can complete his hat-trick at Listed level.

Listed honours are also up for grabs in the British Stallion Studs EBF Upavon Fillies’ Stakes, in which Regal Charm has to be a major player.

Henry Candy’s runner bolted up over this course and distance on her seasonal debut in early June, albeit on soft ground, earning her a step up to this level on a much quicker surface at York late last month.

While Regal Charm was very much second best behind Diamond Rain, there was absolutely no disgrace in that given the winner has been placed at Group One level on a couple of occasions and the handicapper clearly agreed, putting Candy’s filly up 10lb to a rating of 99.

She has now shown herself ground-versatile and with nothing of Diamond Rain’s calibre in this field, she should take some beating.

Dandana catches the eye in the Frazier Jones Wine Merchants Handicap.

The Blue Point filly was highly tried by Simon and Ed Crisford after breaking her maiden at Ripon last summer, finishing a creditable fourth in the Lowther at York and then down the field in the Firth of Clyde Stakes at Ayr.

She again failed to fire on her reappearance at York in June, but ran significantly better when dropped in class at Windsor last time, making much of the running before faltering late on into fourth place.

Dropped another pound to a mark 89, she should be competitive in this company.

Coco Nova gets the vote in the 911 At Porsche Centre Hull EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes at Beverley.

Hugo Palmer’s juvenile was a big eyecatcher on his Doncaster introduction in mid-July, making late gains after a slow start to be beaten just four lengths into fourth place.

The runner-up and the third from that race both won on their next starts and Coco Nova can follow suit under Oisin Orr.

With racing at Ffos Las starting earlier to avoid a clash with the solar eclipse, Dark Sun would be an apt winner of the Birthday Boy Leighton Happy 80th Handicap.

Although the five-year-old has found victories hard to come by, with only one win from 21 starts to date, she may well have doubled her tally at Lingfield last time but for a slow start.

If she can break off on terms in Wales, she is definitely well enough handicapped to win again.

Evening all-weather fare comes from Kempton, where the William Haggas-trained Manaar sets a lofty standard in the Unibet/Breeders Backing Racing EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes and is difficult to oppose.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 4 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.

BEVERLEY: Race 1: 15.15 Lexington Boom, Race 2: 15.45 Coco Nova, Race 3: 16.15 Alice’s Influence, Race 4: 16.45 Homestrait, Race 5: 17.15 Princess Niyla, Race 6: 17.45 Kilfrush Desert.

SALISBURY: Race 1: 15.30 Gold Reef City, Race 2: 16.00 Dandana, Race 3: 16.30 QUEST FOR STARS (NAP), Race 4: 17.00 Bold Shout, Race 5: 17.30 Regal Charm, Race 6: 18.00 Eupator.

FFOS LAS: Race 1: 16.37 Dixie Blue, Race 2: 17.07 Dark Sun, Race 3: 17.37 Narrjoo, Race 4: 18.10 Ivat Ghia, Race 5: 18.40 John Harrison, Race 6: 19.10 Meet Me In Meraki.

KEMPTON: Race 1: 18.30 Marsala, Race 2: 19.00 Manaar, Race 3: 19.30 Orchid, Race 4: 20.00 Chalk Mountain, Race 5: 20.30 Grey Soul, Race 6: 21.00 Rogue Allegiance, Race 7: 21.30 The Green Mile, Race 8: 22.00 Solanna.

ALL TO COME: Coco Nova (Beverley, Race 2) and Quest For Stars (Salisbury, Race 3).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za