Winter Lightning and Laugh Aloud back in Atalanta Stakes

UAE 1,000 Guineas winner Winter Lightning and lightly-raced five-year-old Laugh Aloud both return from a break in the mile G3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown Park, UK, on Saturday, 1 September. 

Winter Lightning (Saeed bin Suroor/Oisin Murphy), an easy winner of the mile Listed Classic on dirt at Meydan, UAE, in February, makes her first appearance since taking third in the G3 UAE Oaks over nine and a half furlongs at the same course on 1 March. 

The three-year-old Shamardal filly finished second on her only previous turf appearance, going down by four lengths to Veracious in a seven-furlong maiden at Newmarket in October.

Saeed bin Suroor commented: “Winter Lightning did well out in Dubai earlier this year, winning twice including the UAE 1,000 Guineas, but had a setback after finishing third in the UAE Oaks.  

“We gave her a break and she has been doing well since coming back into training. This looks to be a nice trip for her and we are looking to see a good run.”

Laugh Aloud (John Gosden/James Doyle) hasn’t raced since making all for a comprehensive four-length success in the G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes over an extended mile at Epsom Downs in June, 2017. 

The daughter of Dubawi, a winner on four of her nine starts, has also gained a pair of Listed victories over a mile at Goodwood and Newmarket. 

A field of six for the Atalanta Stakes features Veracious, who has gone on to finish third twice at G1 level since beating Winter Lightning, and Awesometank, a Listed winner over the course and distance on her latest outing.