South African star Soft Falling Rain will have his prep run for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket on Friday week.

The Mike de Kock-trained colt (image, DRC/Watkins) , who starred in Dubai during the winter, lost his unbeaten record on his British debut at Newbury last month, but connections remain upbeat and he is set to contest the Nayef Joel Stakes over a mile at Headquarters before a trip to Ascot on Qipco British Champions Day on October 19.

Assistant trainer Steve Jell said: “The Queen Elizabeth II over the straight mile has always been the long-term plan for Soft Falling Rain.

“He had a long break before his second place in the Hungerford Stakes so he needed the race. He was beaten by a decent horse (Gregorian) and we were not upset at all by that defeat.”

Also in action at Newmarket could be stablemate Igugu, who has not run since finishing eighth in the QEII Cup at Sha Tin in April.

Jell said: “Igugu was in season for the whole of her Dubai campaign and then again during the two months of hot weather in Newmarket.

“She is better now and we might start her off in a one-mile Listed race (Rosemary Stakes) on the same day as the Joel Stakes.

“We then have the British Champions Fillies’ and Mares’ Stakes in mind for her.

“It is over a mile and a half but that should not be a problem as she won the Oaks over further than that back home in South Africa.” - skysports.Com