SPRINT queen Quiet Reflection could make her seasonal reappearance in the Group 2 Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York on Wednesday 17 May. The richest ever renewal of the contest now worth £125,000
The Karl Burke-trained star was given the 2016 Cartier Sprinter Award after winning two Group 1s – the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot and the Sprint Cup (Haydock Park).
Owned by Ontoawinner, Hubert Strecker and Karl and Elaine Burke, the four-year-old filly remains in training for 2017 – and is delighting connections with her physical progress.
Quiet Reflection is very much on target for a return to the track in May, with the six-furlong sprint showpiece of York’s opening day, under serious consideration.
Yorkshire-based trainer Burke said: “She has wintered brilliantly – we’re really pleased with her. We’re just starting to pick up the speed in her work now and she should be fully fit the first week of May, with the intention of either going for the Duke of York or possibly the Temple Stakes the week after.
“Hopefully the ground will be decent at York and we can go there – I just wouldn’t want to run her on real fast ground.
“She has definitely filled her frame. She was 10 kilos heavier through most of the winter, although a few kilos of that have come off now. After Christmas – after her break – when we started riding her again, I think she was 12 or 13 kilos heavier than when she finished last season.
“Like a lot of those sprinters, they fill their frames as they get older – she has definitely done that. She’s definitely stronger and hopefully that will transfer into her running a bit quicker on the track.”
A campaign for Quiet Reflection’s season almost maps itself, Royal Ascot and after that, she could take in the Darley July Cup before possibly tackling the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes back at York. Burke also mentions the Sprint Cup and QIPCO Champions Day as being very much in his thinking.
Whenever and wherever she runs, Burke is keen for all who are connected to her to soak up every minute of it, with a view to her achievements being celebrated once more at the end of season Cartier Awards.
Burke, who trains at Spigot Lodge in Leyburn, said: “It would be nice to think that we can be invited to those type of awards again.”
He added: “It’s what you do the job for – get up early in the mornings for – to find a horse like her. We have to really enjoy it this year.
“Whatever she does, she owes us nothing and I think it’s important that we all enjoy and take it in this year. Last year there was a bit of pressure to get there – now we’ve done it, they can’t take it away from us.”
Last year’s Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes winner Magical Memory is also pencilled in for a return visit to the Knavesmire. The popular grey gelding is among the 36-strong entry for the race.
Owned by Kennet Valley Thoroughbreds, the five-year-old hasn’t won since his victory in the race last year but he did finish a close-up fourth in the Group 1 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Sam Hoskins, racing manager for Kennett Valley Thoroughbreds, said: “The plan is to head straight to York. Last year he won at Newmarket (Abernant Stakes) before but it’s a long season and hopefully he will arrive at York in good shape.
“He had a minor setback last September but appears over it now and is training well. It’s all systems go for York and it would be great if he could reproduce last year’s win.
“York has been a lucky track for us – Tullius won the Skybet York Stakes a couple of years ago and of course Magical Memory won last year. We are really looking forward to going back there.”
Caravaggio, an unbeaten two-year-old star of 2016, has been given an entry by trainer Aidan O’Brien. The Tin Man, who took the QIPCO British Champions Sprint Stakes, is the third Group 1 winner entered for the Duke of York Clipper Logistics Stakes.
York’s season-opening Dante Festival runs from Wednesday 17 May to Friday 19 May inclusive.
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