Holland duo ready to roll in Empress Stakes
Graham Holland has high hopes for Silverhill Freya and Bockos Sapphire going into the semi-finals of the Empress Stakes at Towcester, while Kevin Hutton likes the draw for Baroness Velvet.
Holland duo ready for Empress semis
Graham Holland is happy with how his two runners took to Towcester ahead of their outings in the bet365 Empress Stakes semi-finals at Towcester on Sunday.
Silverhill Freya put in a big performance when landing her heat from the front in a standard-setting 28.71 and was chased home by her kennelmate Bockos Sapphire, who was a length and a quarter behind in second.
They go in separate races on Sunday and Holland is happy with how the draw has worked out.
“I am delighted with how both Freya and Sapphire are running the track, they look well drawn for this Sunday,“ said Holland.
“Sapphire faces the tougher heat, but considering last week was her first four-bend back after injury, I’m really pleased with how she ran behind Freya - luckily they’re not drawn against each other again this week! ”
Baroness Velvet has avoided the two Holland runners and Kevin Hutton is happy with her draw in the second semi-final.
The daughter of Glengar Bale and Velvet Spring chased home Strike It Skye in a trial stakes before going one better in the heats last Sunday and her trainer believes there is more to come from her.
Despite not coming away too well, the February 2024 whelp still scored by a length in 29.52 last weekend and the future looks bright for this lightly-raced puppy.
He said: “She is a really smart February '24 puppy and despite beginning her career at the deep end, she made it two wins from her three starts.
“The time really doesn’t reflect what was an eye-catching performance it was as she overcame a slow start to run a very brave opening bend to push her way to the front.
“She’s a nice draw in the semi-final and it would be fantastic if she could get through to the decider."
