Smooth Journey on course for Champions Day

Journey made all under Dettori in impressive fashion. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Journey will seek to go one better in the QIPCO British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ Stakes on Champions Day after winning the Listed Princess Royal EBF Nayef Stakes for the second consecutive year at Newmarket on Friday.

The John Gosden-trained filly had been off course almost four months since winning her previous start at Haydock but she looked anything but rusty, making all and bounding clear of her seven rivals.

The Dubawi four-year-old, sent off the 11/8 favourite, was chased home by stablemate Lady Of Camelot

“I am very pleased with her,” Gosden said. “She was going to run in the Lancashire Oaks but she got high muscle enzymes just before the race, so we couldn’t run her there, and we have had to give her time off.

“However, she has come back better and stronger – so I am thrilled with that run.

“She was a bit fresh and full of herself, but with a 5lb penalty it was a good effort. We will try and take the same route to the Group One QIPCO British Champions Fillies’ & Mares’ at Ascot that we did last year (when second to Simple Verse) and if they all turn up it will be a good race.”

He added: “These fillies haven’t been over-raced, so they are a bit fresh. The winner was just full of herself and she took Frankie on a touch early, but I don’t mind that, there is no point fighting them.”