Diamond Rain tests G1 waters in E P Taylor Stakes; Spy Chief eyes G2 glory

Progressive filly Diamond Rain hopes to continue an unbeaten campaign on her Gl debut in the E P Taylor Stakes at Woodbine in Canada on Saturday.

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The daughter of Shamardal has impressed on both her outings for Charlie Appleby this year, scoring by nearly two lengths in both the Listed Hedge Of Oak Stakes at Haydock Park in May and the G3 Hoppings Stakes on the all-weather at Newcastle in June.

A winner of four of her six career starts, Diamond Rain also captured a Newbury Listed race last May, with her only disappointing effort to date coming on good to firm ground in last season’s G2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Charlie Appleby said: “This will be Diamond Rain's first start outside of the UK and she has shipped in well. It looks as though we all have She Feels Pretty to beat, although our filly has done nothing wrong so far this season.

“Diamond Rain likes the 10-furlong trip and the wide turf course at Woodbine should also help. The only unknown is the fact she is racing in North America for the first time, and the different style of racing can sometimes catch horses out. We hope that she can be there at the business end of the race and show us she belongs at this level.”