By Sean Cronin
Great Yarmouth's £40,000 British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Fillies' S., which witnessed a 'TDN Rising Star' display in the extended five-furlong dash last year, played host to another as Cheveley Park Stud's homebred 2-year-old filly Spherical (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}–Spatial {GB}, by New Approach {Ire}) powered to an impressive success in this year's renewal. In winning, she provided her second-crop sire with a third Rising Star in five days.
Spherical, debuting in a field reduced by half to just three contenders, stalked both rivals in third through halfway. Easing into the clear for her bid approaching the quarter-mile marker, the 10-11 favourite was shaken up to seize control entering the final furlong and lengthened clear under minimal urging to easily outclass Never Forget You (Ire) (No Nay Never) by an impressive 3 1/4 lengths.
“The [good-to-soft] ground wasn't too bad, she's got small feet and a quick action, and it worked out nicely for her,” said James Doyle. “The other two came from the breeze-ups, so they had a bit more experience. I was happy to take a tow off them and it was just a bit of a dash for a furlong-and-a-half. We didn't really learn a whole lot, but she's got plenty of ability. She's kind of all there and is robust enough to be precocious. She's going to grow a bit and, I would imagine when the summer ground comes along, she'll rattle off the fast ground no problem.”
Spherical is the latest of three live foals, all winners, produced by a winning full-sister to Listed Newmarket S. third Inigo Jones (GB). The March-foaled bay's dam Spatial (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) is also a half-sister to Listed Foundation S. victor and G3 Darley S. runner-up Gabr (GB) (Intello {Ger}). Spherical's second dam is G2 May Hill S. and G2 Windsor Forest S. victrix Spacious (GB) (Nayef), who placed five times at Group 1 level. Spacious, in turn, is a half-sister to GII King Edward S., GII Connaught Cup and GII Play The King S. victor Dimension (GB) (Medicean {GB}), and hails from the family of Grade II-winning sire Exchange Rate (Danzig).
3rd-Great Yarmouth, £40,000, Mdn, 5-22, 2yo, f, 5f 34yT, 1:04.73, g/s.
SPHERICAL (GB), f, 2, by Blue Point (Ire)
1st Dam: Spatial (GB), by New Approach (Ire)
2nd Dam: Spacious (GB), by Nayef
3rd Dam: Palatial (GB), by Green Desert
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $26,202. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
O/B-Cheveley Park Stud Ltd (GB); T-Roger Varian; J-James Doyle.
Lovely debut!
Spherical impresses winning easily first time out at @GTYarmouthRaces for @varianstable and James Doyle… pic.twitter.com/TtDJ1RRJmZ
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) May 22, 2024
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