Saphira’s Fire will make her belated return to the race track in this weekend’s bet365 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock and trainer Willie Muir can’t wait to see her in action.
Sidelined since a listed victory, followed by a close-up third in the Group 2 Pride Stakes at Newmarket, the daughter of Cape Cross has been held back by a number of niggling injuries. However, back and ready to go, the trainer believes his start filly can prove her well-being at Haydock on Saturday.
He said: "We're very much looking forward to getting her back on the track and we've just had a troubled yard really. At the beginning of the season Martin {Dwyer} came down and rode her and said she'll win a Group One this season as she was just breathtaking."
He continued: "We couldn't find a race for her anywhere so I eased off her and then the horses went down with this little bit of a bug. The yard had coughing and ringworm and she was affected by it all. Thankfully she has come right back to herself.
"She injured a joint in the Oaks last year which kept us off for three months and she is about as fit now as when she went to Newmarket on her last start. That form is strong and I don't really mind if it rains a bit so I think all bases are covered. We just want to get her started and then see where we go.
"She might not be at 110% fitness on Saturday like those horses that have been running all the way through the summer, but she is working well and I know she goes well fresh. She is definitely a better filly this year than last and if the patience pays off, we're in business."
Saphira’s Fire is currently a best priced 20/1 (bet365) for the race, with High Heeled favourite at 2/1 (William Hill) and Flame Of Gibraltar 5/2 with the same firm.
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