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Lucida eyes first Gr 1 success

Dubai - Other Godolphin runners worth noting are Future Empire in the opening Bahrain Trophy on Thursday, the first day of the meeting, and Steady Pace in the Arqana July Stakes.

Lucida, ridden by Kevin Manning for trainer Jim Bolger, eyes her first Group-1 success as the Godolphin's filly faces the starter in the 1600m Qipco Falmouth Stakes (British Champions Series) Group-1 (fillies and mares) the highlight of the second day of July festival at Newmarket racecourse on Friday.
The brilliant three-year-old home-bred Shamardal daughter was not disgraced in her defeat when third behind Ervedya and Found in the G-1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Because of her wide draw, she had to be dropped out, and then she was forced to go around the entire field.
But Lucida was finishing fast for her gallant third. She was beaten only a neck and half a length, and if she runs up to that effort, she will go close against a very strong group of fillies in the Falmouth. Meanwhile, Fintry (Andre Fabre/ Mickael Barzalona) is another representative for Godolphin in the feature of the day and she has every chance to strike.
Godolphin's Rah Rah has a crack at the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes following her 10th in the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot. She comes up against old rival Easton Angel, who was runner-up to Acapulco in that five-furlong sprint.
But the one they all have to beat is the Richard Hannon-trained Illuminate, who was impressive in taking the Albany Stakes at the Royal Meeting.
Other Godolphin runners worth noting are Future Empire in the opening Bahrain Trophy on Thursday, the first day of the meeting, and Steady Pace in the Arqana July Stakes.
Elsewhere, Italian-born jockey Frankie Dettori marked his 30th year since he has arrived in Newmarket with a great ride that brought Mr Singh home in the 2100m Bhrain Trophy Gr-3 for his boss John Gosden. Dettori completed a double with Salvo in the John Deere EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes, the fifth race on the card.
In the big race, Big Orange, the outsider of the field at 25-1, held off all-comers to dent some lofty reputations in the £100,000 feature on day one of the July festival.