Sobetsu Set For Mile Honours

Trainer Charlie Appleby is fully aware of the challenge facing Sobetsu in Friday's G1 Dubai Fillies' Mile at Newmarket (UK) but, equally, he believes the Godolphin filly has the right attributes to measure up in a competitive field.

"It was a big step from her first to her second run, and you could say this is a huge leap, to G1 company," Appleby said. "But, we always had the Fillies' Mile in mind for her, it was always our intention to run here this week.

"We felt she had already proven herself on the Rowley Mile, and by coming here, instead of Chantilly last weekend, it gave her more time between runs," he explained.

Of course, Appleby was also keeping his star fillies separated - stablemate Wuheida did her bit by landing the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Sunday, showing the potential of an Oaks contender for next year. Now, it is Sobetsu's turn to show her prowess.

In fairness, Sobetsu struck very strong opposition when making her racecourse debut at Newmarket in August, and yet she was able to finish a creditable third to Spatial and Unforgetable Filly.

She then came back to Newmarket to open her account at the second time of asking in quite brilliant style -- she won a one-mile fillies' maiden by 10 lengths. "She was very impressive that day, and she came out of the race well," Appleby added.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor runs Easy Victory, which gives Godolphin a solid second string to its bow in what promises to be an informative race. She won a Newmarket maiden, over six furlongs, on debut, but then beat only one home in the G3 Sweet Solera Stakes on the same course.

"The ground was too firm for her in the Sweet Solera, and she came out of the race jarred up," Saeed reported. "But she has been working well recently, and I think she will run a good race. Any rain would help her," the trainer added.

Spatial, owned by Cheveley Park, is in the line-up, alongside Rich Legacy, Qatar Racing's May Hill Stakes winner, while Ballydoyle's Rhododendron brings G1 form to the table following her third in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh on Irish Champions Weekend.