Calasita is the obvious starting point. The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained filly has won two of her three starts this season and showed a good turn of foot to run down Romantic Symphony in the Listed Prix de Thiberville over 1m4f at Longchamp in June. That form has additional substance because Calasita had previously finished second to Dispatches at Compiegne. A half-sister to top-class Calandagan, she remains lightly raced and there could be considerably more to come.
Romantic Symphony has moved forward since her defeat by Calasita. Charlie Appleby's filly subsequently won a Listed contest at Newmarket and arrives with an RPR of 120, compared with Calasita's 116. She is proven at the distance and William Buick takes the ride, but she does need to reverse that Longchamp form.
Dispatches is particularly interesting at around 5/1. She has already beaten Calasita over 1m4f and followed that by winning a Listed race over 1m2f before finishing third in Group 2 company over 1m4f. With an official rating of 108 and RPR of 121, she has nothing to find on class and looks a solid contender.
However, Habibi could be the value at around 13/2. Her fourth in the Group 1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly stands out. She was beaten only 3¼ lengths and recorded an RPR of 110 there, while her overall Racing Post figure of 124 is the highest in this field. The obvious question is the step up to 1m4½f, but there is stamina on the dam's side and this represents a significant drop in grade.
The likely pace adds another dimension. Venetia is happiest going forward and could ensure they don't dawdle. That should make stamina important and give the stronger travellers something to aim at. Venetia herself is capable of bouncing back from her Ribblesdale defeat, although she has plenty to find with the leading quartet on ratings.
Hatanka Fal is consistent and has already been placed at Group 3 level over 1m4f, while Proxima Du Centaur has kept good company but has twice finished behind Dispatches and needs to improve to reverse those placings.
Verdict
Calasita has the most obvious potential and could easily develop into the best filly in the field, but 7/4 looks short in a race containing several fillies with comparable or stronger established figures.
At the prices, HABIBI appeals most at 13/2. Her Prix de Diane performance gives her a class angle that few of these can match, and dropping from Group 1 to Group 3 company could make a significant difference if she stays the extra distance.
1. HABIBI
2. CALASITA
3. DISPATCHES
Best bet: HABIBI – 13/2
The key to the race is the trip: if Habibi stays 1m4½f, she looks overpriced.
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