New Providence holds solid claims in Rockfel Stakes

Trainer Hugo Palmer is enjoying a terrific season and New Providence can provide with him another big race success in the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket today (2.40).
The filly won her first two starts in good style, before going on to be placed in big field contests at Newmarket and York.

The daughter of Bahamian Bounty then got back to winning ways in the Group 3 Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes at Salisbury over 6f last time out when getting up on the line and beat the highly regarded Marsh hawk by a short-head.

New Providence showed a tremendous attitude in the latter, digging deep and staying on tenaciously in a manner which suggested she would have no problem with today’s 7f trip.

It was also an effort which suggested New Providence could have even more to offer, and with the ground fine and Jim Crowley in the saddle a huge run looks assured.

The obvious one New Providence has to beat is Irish raider and favourite Lucida.

The Jim Bolger trained filly was a decisive winner on debut at Naas and put in a cracking effort on her second start when runner-up in a Group 2 contest at the Curragh.

The daughter of Shamardal then improved again when beaten just a head by Cursory Glance in the Group 2 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last time out, where she looked unlucky not to prevail after being denied a clear run at a vital stage.

That form sets the standard, but Lucida had a tough race and has had just 12 days to get over those exertions.

For that reason Lucida looks worth taking on, and New Providence looks to have the tools in the armoury to lower her colours.