From wild boars to horses: hands-on William Stone hoping Romantic Time can shine

Friday: 3.00 Newmarket
Unibet Rockfel Stakes (Group 2) | 7f | 2yo fillies | ITV4/RTV

Experience versus inexperience is always an interesting dilemma when assessing two-year-old races. It creates an extra imponderable in contests that generally have more than enough to consider.

If you sway towards those proven under race conditions then look no further than Oscula, who began her juvenile campaign in May with a creditable third behind subsequent Group 2 winner Sandrine and has recently scored in Group 3 company.

You know what you will get with the George Boughey-trained filly and she sets the standard with an official rating of 104. However, her best form has come on rain-softened ground and a dry forecast may give others the edge.

Romantic Time, who is proving to be a stable star for trainer William Stone, also doesn't lack experience. Sunstrike, Hello You and Cachet similarly fit the bill after five runs each. The last five Rockfel winners have all raced four or five times before plundering this prize.

Frankel filly Majestic Glory may hold the aces given her progressive profile over sprinting trips. Her first outing over 7f resulted in a Sweet Solera victory and she's subsequently been purchased by owner Doreen Tabor. Another step forward gives her strong claims.

Girl On Film, who justified strong support to win on debut (race not worked out), and the unbeaten Jumbly sit at the other end of the participation scale after just one and two starts.

It could be Jumbly who serves it up to her more battle-hardened rivals. Rider Saffie Osborne described her as the best she has ridden after a runaway Kempton success last time.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

Big day for Stone's star Romantic Time

Wild boar farmer supplying Waitrose, hay and straw seller and racehorse trainer all feature on William Stone's CV and the hands-on West Wickham trainer is eyeing a first Group 2 success with Romantic Time in the Rockfel Stakes.

Stone has 20 horses in full work and two full-time staff at his Cambridgeshire yard, so saddling his Group 3 Dick Poole Fillies’ Stakes winner in this ITV4 race and consistent mare Lalania in the Listed Rosemary Stakes (1.50) makes it a rather big day.

Stone, who moved away from the boars when taking out a full licence, said: “Romantic Time has been absolutely fantastic for us and as long as she settles, I would be hopeful she’ll stay the seven furlongs as she’s worked very well over seven with another good horse.

“She’s a tiny little pony – a little sweetheart in her box – and it’s amazing she's won a Group 3. There’s some very good fillies in there and she has to prove she’s up to this level. She’s definitely a good horse, but how good we will find out here.”

The diminutive Romantic Time (right) alongside stablemate Little Sunflower at William Stone's yardCredit: William Stone

Stone’s runners boasted a £41.25 profit to a £1 level stake last year and £33.75 so far this year, with the trainer hoping to focus all his energy on the racing side of his business in the future.

Stone, 46, said: “I’ve had to run the hay and straw business alongside training to make everything pay. It’s hard because you finish the horses at lunchtime, spend the afternoon delivering hay, then go back to the horses in the evening.

“There’s not many early nights but one day I’d love to focus solely on the training.”

What they say

George Boughey, trainer of Cachet and Oscula
Cachet likes the Rowley Mile and won there on debut. Her work has been good since France and this looks the right spot for her. Oscula has to prove she handles the track, but she's consistent.

Roger Varian, trainer of Femme Friendly
She ran a bit flat at Chelmsford and needs to improve a fair bit to feature in this, but she should improve for stepping up to seven furlongs and returning to turf. Hopefully, she will handle herself very well.

Dave Loughnane, trainer of Hello You
She’s a black-type filly and starting to relax in her races. I’m hopeful of a big run and the good ground and track are right for her. There’s definitely more to come and we may head to the Breeders’ Cup if all goes to plan.

Roger Charlton, trainer of Jumbly
She was impressive at Kempton and this is a step up in grade and a competitive race. She’s straightforward to train and nice to deal with, but it’s difficult to gauge how she'll fare.

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Sunstrike
There are few races she can run in here, which is why she'll probably head to the US after this. She'll give her usual good account.
Reporting by Jack Haynes

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