Will Blue Bolt, previously entered by Group 1, maintain her upward momentum in the Atalanta Stakes competition?
Molten Rock, a seasoned runner known for her ability to handle soft ground, is in excellent form as she prepares for the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown on Saturday, July 16, 2022. This race, a Group 3 event, attracts a mix of three-year-olds and older horses, with a nearly equal share of runners in the past decade (49-51) for each age group.
Among the three-year-olds, Flight and Hey Boo are notable contenders. Flight, trained by Ollie Sangster, came home eighth in the Coronation Stakes but hopes to use this race as a springboard towards bigger targets, following her emphatic maiden win at Sandown. In her last race, she was beaten a length by Desert Flower in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Hey Boo, who will wear a first-time tongue-tie, finished eighth in the same Guineas race and has four and a quarter lengths to find on Newmarket form with Flight.
Four of the five winners from the Classic generation in the last decade ran in a Group 1 on their previous start, while none of the older winners had run above a Group 2. This trend could favour the younger horses in this year's Atalanta Stakes.
Spiritual, a four-year-old, heads the older contingent despite a 3lb penalty. She boasts a comfortable victory over Bright Thunder in a Group 3 in June. Another four-year-old, Skellet, appeals as one who could return to form, especially if the forecast rain arrives, as she won the race at Sandown last year.
The once-raced Alobayyah and unbeaten four-year-old Lady Of Spain could make their marks at this level, but are likely best watched back from long absences. Blue Bolt, an unbeaten three-year-old, could follow suit by winning at the top level after making all in the Distaff over course and distance last time.
The ground at Sandown was changed to soft during racing on Friday following 16mm of rain, but it is set to be dry overnight and the track may avoid a wet spell until after racing on Saturday. This could favour the horses that perform well on soft ground, such as Molten Rock.
The Atalanta Stakes will be an exciting race to watch, with a strong field of contenders and a trend towards younger horses performing well in recent years. The rider for the race will be Hollie Doyle, who previously placed in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in May 2022. Flight, with her recent form and potential for improvement, could be one to watch in this race.
