Neil Morrice brings us all of his best bets and tips from Sunday’s racing at Newmarket, Hamilton and Gowran including a full preview of the Group 1 Qipco 1,000 Guineas Stakes.
Newmarket Best Bets
Qipco 1,000 Guineas preview
The second Classic poses almost as tricky a puzzle as the 2,000 Guineas with no filly other than QABALA managing to assert herself convincingly in the trials. Roger Varian’s flying start to the campaign has been one of its features and in the Nell Gwyn she stretched away at the business end to indicate stepping up to a mile will be a notable plus.
To have won over the Rowley course so close to the Guineas is another box firmly ticked and for last season’s champion apprentice David Egan, a first Classic at such a young age would be good for the jockey as well as the racing industry.
The next three Hollywoodbets’ book on the race – SKITTER SCATTER, JUST WONDERFUL and FAIRYLAND – give Ireland a serious combined chance of adding to its very good recent record in the race.
SKITTER SCATTER is a Group 1 winner for trainer John Oxx and ended her 2yo campaign on the crest of a wave with that Moyglare Stud Stakes success at the Curragh in September completing a fine hat-trick. The daughter of Scat Daddy has a great chance of getting the mile on the evidence of her pedigree chart.
Although she failed to menace in the Moyglare, JUST WONDERFUL had very good juvenile form elsewhere, including a Group 2 triumph in the Rockfel Stakes at this track. She has a beautiful blend of speed and stamina in her pedigree and Aidan O’Brien wouldn’t be sending her unless having good reason to.
O’Brien can also look to FAIRYLAND who as a winner of the Lowther Stakes and the Cheveley Park Stakes over six furlongs. That final win over the Rowley course was her jewel in the crown, but in stepping up a quarter of a mile on Sunday she does have something to prove.
One filly that hasn’t attracted the plaudits she deserves is DANDHU. I was impressed with the way the Dandy Man filly has grown and matured through the winter when she inched ahead in the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury. Although she didn’t look to have much to spare her countenance suggested she would come on for the outing, especially when getting some sun on her back. Her trainer David Elsworth lets his horses do the talking these days, and I think there’s every chance Gerald Mosse’s mount will play a big part.
MOT JUSTE is one that will have no problem with the distance as she’s by Distorted Humor out of a Sadler’s Wells mare, but whether she can reverse the Nell Gwyn form with Qabala is another matter. In the same mould is IRIDESSA, although last season’s Fillies’ Mile winner looks more of an Oaks filly.
Neil Morrice’s Predicted Finish
First: DANDHU
Second: Qabala
Third: Skitter Scatter
Fourth: Fairyland
Fifth: Iridessa
Race 1: KOEMAN (9)
Trainer: Mick Channon
Jockey: David Egan
Ground conditions should be perfect for KOEMAN to run well at a big price in the 1,000 Guineas day opener. There’s a ring of consistency about his form and he looked in very good order blowing out for this on the shavings gallop at West Ilsley. He contested some good races at Frade 1 tracks last year and has also shown he can go well fresh.
Race 2: NYALETI (2)
Trainer: Mark Johnston
Jockey: Joe Fanning
Any rain will help the chances of NYALETI and showers are forecast in the lead up to this fascination fillies’ Group 2. The selection has the beating of Shenanigans on form from Goodwood at this time last year and the stable have already fired a winning shot at the meeting with Communique, advertising their well being.
Hamilton Park Best Bet
Race 2: SECRET VENTURE (5)
Trainer: Kevin Ryan
Jockey: Danny Tudhope
Deputise will be all the rage following his very good run at the All-Weather Championships but on turf here SECRET VENTURE can make things difficult for the favourite. The heavy ground probably didn’t suit the selection last seen at the Ayr Western meeting. That run nevertheless helped earn Secret Venture the top rating here, and he can prove the market to be wrong.
Gowran Park Best Bet
Race 6: MARIA CHRISTINA (12)
Trainer: Dermot Weld
Jockey: C Hayes
With all the big stables represented there’s a case to be made for three or for of these fillies. However, while Fancy Feet is afforded healthy respect, MARIA CHRISTINA is narrowly preferred. She was having only a second career start when runner-up to Solage at this course last month and possibly has a bit more scope than her rival.
