Stateira would give Andrew Balding a sweep of the six category finals on Good Friday if she can justify favouritism in the BetMGM Fillies' And Mares' Championships Handicap (2.25pm).
Balding is the most successful trainer on Finals Day with 10 wins, four more than his closest challenger William Haggas, with the seven-furlong contest the only final to have eluded him.
Stateira was the most impressive of the six AWC Trials Day scorers at the course in January, although her four-length verdict has resulted in a double-digit hike to 96. Ross O’Sullivan’s Indigo Dream, who finished third, reopposes on 11lb better terms.
As well as Indigo Dream, the Irish challenge includes Robson de Aguiar’s Carolina Jetstream, who shoulders joint top weight with Stateira following two victories against male opposition at Dundalk.
Ziggy’s Queen is open to further improvement following her swooping victory on AWC Trials Day at Lingfield Park – her first go over seven furlongs. Powdering (Michael Herrington), Brazilian Rose (Rebecca Menzies) and Bridget’s View (Stuart Williams) were within a length of Richard & Peter Fahey’s mare and all reoppose.
Fouette, a dual handicap winner earlier in the campaign for James Horton, drops down in class following two creditable efforts in Listed company at Lingfield Park and Deauville.
Archie Watson saddles stable debutant Paris Babe, who won an all-weather handicap at Deauville in November, while Brian Ellison’s Callianassa defeated Mile contender Dosman at the track in February.
Shallow fared best of the four contenders who also lined up last year, going down by a length in third, and has a 4lb lower mark this time for Richard Spencer.
Runners chasing a £15,000 bonus:
Stateira
Ziggy’s Queen
The view from connections
Andrew Balding, trainer of Stateira, said: “She won well at the trial meeting in January. This has been the aim since then and her preparation has gone well. She will be giving a fair chunk of weight away to most of the field, but she is a classy filly and should go well.”
James Horton, trainer of Fouette, said: “She has wintered well. We decided to give her a break because she had plenty of racing during the backend of last year. We have trained her with this in mind and she goes there a fresh filly. Seven furlongs is her ideal trip, while the straight track at Newcastle will suit her. She could still be reasonably treated back in a handicap as I think she is capable of getting black type. There are plenty of positives.”
Michael Herrington, trainer of Powdering, said: “She goes here in good form, having been beaten on the nod in the trial at Lingfield. She has showed that she is more than capable from this sort of mark. She is 3lb lower than her fourth here last year, when she was drawn away from the winner and only beaten a length or so. I think she has a solid each-way chance.”
Richard Fahey, co-trainer of Ziggy’s Queen, said: “This is a good opportunity for her to run for a lot of money. She was a breeze up filly, always very keen, but we always suspected she would stay further than six furlongs once she settled down. We felt the trial at Lingfield was a good place to try it and it worked out great.”
Ross O’Sullivan, trainer of Indigo Dream, said: “I think we bumped into one in the trial and, although we have to take her on again, at least we have a nice swing in the weights. We have kept her fresh with this race in mind. The favourite could be a class above, but our filly has had a smooth preparation and should give a good account of herself.”
Hollie Doyle, rider of Paris Babe, said: “She is a very likeable type who Archie picked up from Arqana. Emma Palmer, who owns her, has had a bit of luck over the years. She seems very straightforward in her work, while I think the stiff track at Newcastle will really suit her. She starts off on a mark of 91 and we will find out where she is at.”
