Star Catcher Leads Gosden's Fillies & Mares Stakes Trio

Trainer John Gosden is three-handed Oct. 19 as he attempts to win the QIPCO Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) for a second time with course-and-distance winner Star Catcher leading the charge from Clarehaven Stables. 

The Kerrygold Irish Oaks (G1) and Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) winner is looking to be the fifth 3-year-old to win the race in the past six years. Gosden won the race in 2016 with Journey. 

Since then, the champion trainer has had a couple of near misses but could not have a stronger hand this year with Epsom Oaks winner Anapurna and live outsider Sparkle Roll also coming to the party.

Before her win at the Curragh in July, Star Catcher won the June 20 Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) over Fleeting and Sparkle Roll at Royal Ascot.

Gosden said: "Star Catcher won the Prix Vermeille in good style last time and has been a progressive filly all season. We know she likes the track, and this race has been the plan for some time with her. She's quite versatile (regarding) ground, so we're hopeful she can go through it. Her draw in stall 10 is not the best, but if she can overcome that, she should give another good account."

Anapurna bounced back from a modest run behind Star Catcher in the Prix Vermeille when landing the Prix de Royallieu (G1) at ParisLongchamp on Arc weekend over a mile and six furlongs on soft ground. The daughter of Frankel should have no problem with the conditions.

Gosden added: "Anapurna ran a very brave race when winning at Longchamp, and even though this is a quick turnaround, she seems to have come out of that in good shape. This will be her last race before retirement, and she will like the ground and the trip."

As for Sparkle Roll, the daughter of Kingman will be a fresh horse. She hasn't run since finishing third in a listed race at Newmarket in July when the ground might have been too quick for her.

Gosden said: "Sparkle Roll has had this on her radar ever since she finished third in the Ribblesdale in June. She goes there a fresh filly and does act on soft ground."

Three in a Row for O'Brien?

Aidan O'Brien goes one better than Gosden by fielding four hopefuls as he tries to win the race for the third successive year.

The master of Ballydoyle won it with 3-year-old pair Hydrangea (2017) and Magical (2018), and all four of his runners are also 3-year-olds, headed by the busy Fleeting.

Fleeting has come off worst in three encounters with Star Catcher, notably when second in the Irish Oaks, and is out again just 13 days after chasing home Villa Marina in the Prix de l'Opera (G1) at Longchamp.

Stablemate Delphinia has a score to settle with Anapurna, whom she ran to 1 1/4 lengths in the Prix Royallieu a fortnight ago.

O'Brien, who also saddles outsiders Pink Dogwood and South Sea Pearl, said: "Fleeting has run some really big races in defeat, but she's in good order and we've been really happy with her since the last run.

"She has form with ease in the ground as well, so we're hopeful. We're happy with her. Pink Dogwood has been a little disappointing on her last two starts, but we're hoping she can leave that form behind her.

"She's working very well and seems to be in good form. Delphinia is a solid filly who just got beaten in a group 1 the last run, and she handles an ease in the ground and stays well. South Sea Pearl obviously stays further as well, but she's also in good form.

Will Tarnawa Shine Like Sapphire?

Dermot Weld won this race with Sapphire in 2012 and is back with Tarnawa, who returns to group 1 company for the first time since finishing 11th behind Anapurna in the Oaks at Epsom.

Since then, the daughter of Shamardal has won at group 3 and group 2 level in Ireland, most recently when overcoming Goddess in the Moyglare Jewels Blandford Stakes (G2) at the Curragh in September.