Unibet September Stakes: Kalpana among 13 entries

Andrew Balding’s filly, second to Calandagan in the King George at Ascot in July, is one of 13 six-day entries for the Group Three contest. She’s using the race as a springboard to the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next month.

The trainer said: “Kalpana is very much on course for the September Stakes. She won the race last year, so we know that the track and trip suits her well. She put in a stellar performance during her last run and hopefully this will be a stepping stone towards Longchamp in October. We just thought she hasn’t won a race this year, and as we have taken her to Ireland twice this year, we thought finding something closer to home would be a better prep rather than running in another Group One before the Arc.

“We felt at the time that the King George took a bit more out of her than her other races and that is why we took away any temptation to run at York straight away and decided to wait for this. She has had a nice break since Ascot and this is very much a prep race so she will come on for the run, but she seems in great form.”

Although Kalpana is yet to get her head in front this season Balding insists there has been plenty of encouragement in each of her three starts.

He added: “I thought she ran a good race in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. She was probably a little unlucky in the race, but she ran with great credit behind two very good colts. She was then beaten by Whirl, who has done the form no harm since, when giving her a large lump of weight with the weight-for-age the older horses have to give to the three-year-olds.

“I don’t think I was alone in thinking that she had won the King George when she hit the front. We all got quite excited as she swept to the lead and quickened really well. It meant it would have to be a really good one to peg her back and unfortunately that was the case.

“Calandagan is possibly the best middle-distance horse in Europe so she lost nothing in defeat there against him in the King George. They have been three really good runs, but she is yet to win a race and it would be nice to get the ball rolling and get back on track with a win to tee us nicely up for Paris in October.”

Following her victory in last year’s September Stakes, Kalpana then went on to make her first start at Group One level a successful one in the Qipco British Champion Fillies & Mares Stakes at Ascot.

And while Balding hopes she can replicate that sort of form once again when becoming his first runner in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe he admits his focus is on her next assignment.

Balding said “It was certainly the case last year that this is her time of year as she improved with every race last year so that is what we are hoping will happen again. She has got very good form on slow ground so we know that will be in her favour when it comes.

“The Arc is one of the most important races in the calendar. Juddmonte were lucky enough to win it last year, and they have won it twice with Enable, along with plenty of other good horses, so they are no stranger to success in it, but I’ve never had a runner in the race.

“It is a privilege to train for them, and you have always got a chance of getting a good one as they breed such good horses. However, we still have plenty of water to go under the bridge between now and then, but the first step is Kempton Park at the weekend.”

Potential opponents on Saturday include Giavellotto, for whom Oisin Murphy is already booked to ride. He won the Hong Kong Vase in December and was third in the Coronation Cup when last seen, seemingly ill-at-ease on the track at Epsom.

Willie Mullins has entered Absurde who is heading back to the Melbourne Cup having finished fifth in the race last season.

John and Thady Gosden could run both Palladium and Military Academy, William Haggas is also double handed with Candleford and Term Of Endearment, while Arabian Crown is Charlie Appleby’s sole possible runner at this stage.

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