Staya firmly on course for Lowther test

George Scott is relishing unleashing his star juvenile Staya in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York after going close at Ascot last time.

The Dragon Stakes scorer found only Hugo Palmer’s Fitzella too strong in her first try at six furlongs in the Princess Margaret Stakes, but her Newmarket handler is confident the youngster is “near the top of the class”, with the Knavesmire Group Two the obvious next step.

“We were very pleased with Staya. She ran another great race, took another step forward and is going to head to the Lowther – all roads lead to York,” said Scott.

“It’s a slightly easier six furlongs and hopefully we can get away cleaner from the gate this time and it will certainly be a race we are looking forward to with her.

“You feel like you would be overcomplicating things by going elsewhere and she’s near the top of the class in her division and let’s see how she gets on, it should be the prefect track for her.”

While Staya is fully on course for a trip to the Ebor Festival, Scott is keen to see rain on the forecast before deciding if Bay City Roller will return to Yorkshire to take up his engagement in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes.

He was slowly away when contesting the York Stakes on his most recent outing, something which ultimately put paid to any chance of victory in a red-hot event.

However, Scott is unperturbed as he stresses ground conditions could ultimately determine the son of New Bay’s next move.

“If you look at the bare result you could be disappointed, but he got left six lengths in the gate and you can’t do that in any race,” continued Scott.

“He got himself tangled up and jumped out awkwardly and got detached, but at the end of the day he’s finished almost upsides the other three-year-olds.

“So obviously you would be disappointed with the finishing result, but I think the horse is certainly much better than that.

“If it was to rain at York he would run (in the Great Voltigeur) and he won’t run again until we get the right conditions. It was a bit of a blot on his scorecard, but nothing to worry about.”