WILLIE MUIR is hoping Saphira’s Fire can prove son-in-law Martin Dwyer right by landing a first Group victory in tomorrow’s bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock.
Merseyside jockey Dwyer believes the lightly-raced daughter of Cape Cross has the ability to play a big role in Group company. Last season she won a Listed race at Newmarket and ran a fine third in the Group Two Pride Stakes at Newmarket.
She did, though, finish down the field behind winner Look Here when injured in the Oaks at Epsom last year. Despite some problems since which has delayed her seasonal reappearance Muir thinks she can run a big race in tomorrow’s Group Two feature of Haydock’s seven-race card.
Saphira’s Fire is a 20-1 chance with William Hill, Stan James and bet365, but Muir said: “We’re very much looking forward to getting her back on the track and we’ve just had a troubled yard really.
“At the beginning of the season Martin (Dwyer) came down and rode her and said she’ll win a Group One this season as she was just breathtaking. We couldn’t find a race for her anywhere so I eased off her and then the horses went down with this little bit of a bug.
“The yard had coughing and ringworm and she was affected by it all. Thankfully she has come right back to herself. She injured a joint in the Oaks last year which kept us off for three months and she is about as fit now as when she went to Newmarket on her last start. That form is strong and I don’t really mind if it rains a bit so I think all bases are covered. We just want to get her started and then see where we go.
“She might not be at 110% fitness on Saturday like those horses that have been running all the way through the summer, but she is working well and I know she goes well fresh. She is definitely a better filly this year than last and if the patience pays off, we’re in business.”
Meanwhile John Oxx’s dual Classic hero Sea The Stars will face nine rivals in his bid for more Group One glory in tomorrow’s Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown.
The Cape Cross colt, who won the 2,000 Guineas and Derby at Epsom, is the warm 5-6 favourite with BlueSquare.
He will face three rivals from the Aidan O’Brien stable. O’Brien’s Rip Van Winkle, fourth behind Sea The Stars at Epsom, bids to turn the tables on his rivals under new rider Jimmy Fortune in for the suspended Johnny Murtagh.
He is 4-1 with the sponsors, Stan James and Paddy Power and is joined by stablemates Malibu Bay and Set Sail.
Others rivals include Sir Michael Stoute’s St Leger and Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Conduit, Henry Cecil’s Twice Over and the Luca Cumani-trained Cima De Triomphe.
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