Commissioning Vies for BC Berth in 14-Filly Rockfel

Isa Salman & Abdulla Al Khalifa's unbeaten Commissioning will line up Sept. 23 in the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Rockfel Stakes (G2), run on Newmarket's Rowley Mile course. The daughter of Kingman  faces 13 rivals in the seven-furlong contest, which offers a guaranteed fees-paid berth into the Nov. 4 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1T) at Keeneland through the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained Commissioning looked a filly full of quality when running out an impressive 3 1/2-length winner of the Turners British EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes over Newmarket's July course on July. 30. Having been slowly away and off the bridle early in the race, she soon found her stride under Frankie Dettori and powered clear of her rivals.

Robert Havlin will ride Friday.

Another filly who has won her only start is the Richard Hannon-trained Rich. The daughter of Cracksman  has not been seen since taking a maiden race at Newbury in May, but Hannon believes the break has done her good.

Hannon said: "I think she could be a very good filly. Her owner, Julie Wood, decided not to take her to Royal Ascot and that was a great decision. We have given her time since. A lot of the lads that ride her all agree that she feels like she could be anything. She has done plenty and when we work her here, she looks like she knows exactly what she is doing. She is one of the nicest movers you will ever see and has a good attitude, and I'm hopeful she will run very well."

Amo Racing was successful with Hello You  in last year's race and connections return with Olivia Maralda , who finished second to Meditate  in the Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes (G2) Aug. 20. The daughter of Kodiac  is trained by Michael O'Callaghan and will be ridden by Rossa Ryan. 

Dance In The Grass  was sent off a 5-4 favorite but lost her unbeaten record in the Cazoo May Hill Stakes (G2) in her latest start and will bid to get back on track under Andrea Atzeni for the Charlie & Mark Johnston team, who also saddles Jewson Sweet Solera Stakes (G3) victor Lakota Sioux .

The Charlie Hills-trained Prix Six Perfections Sky Sports Racing (G3) winner Sydneyarms Chelsea  will be ridden by in-form jockey William Buick, who is over 50 winners clear in the British Flat Jockeys' Championship.

Five of the 14 runners go into the race unbeaten with Rage of Bamby, Leitzel, and Electric Eyes joining Commissioning and Rich by putting their unblemished records on the line.

Four of the last five winners of the Rockfel Stakes have started in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. Daahyeh , the 2019 winner, finished second, while last year's winner, Hello You , came in fifth when the Breeders' Cup was staged last year at Del Mar.