The first fillies' Classic of the season is fast approaching and we can look forward to another exciting showdown at Newmarket. The 1000 Guineas, run over a straight mile which is better known as the Rowley Mile, is a true test of speed, stamina, and adaptability, as three-year-old fillies must navigate the course’s undulations and wide expanse in pursuit of a place in racing history.
Stats & Trends
- Aidan O’Brien has won five of the last twelve runnings
- Only one favourite has won the race on the last twelve runnings
- Eleven of the last twelve winners had at least one previous run over 1m
- Nine of the last twelve winners had at least one previous run at Newmarket
- Ten of the last twelve winners had a rating of 106 or higher
- Nine of the last twelve winners had at least one win in a Group race
Contenders
The unbeaten and highly progressive LAKE VICTORIA is high on the list, winning three Group 1 races last season. She’s improved with each run, stepping through the grades. Winning a Maiden on her debut, before taking the Group 3 Sweet Solera Stakes (7f) at the July course. A taking win in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes (7f) put her name on the map with the way she overcame a poor start to power home.
She was even more eye-catching when dropping back in trip to 6f, when winning the Cheveley Park Stakes by 3l. The Aidan O’Brien trained daughter of superstar miler Frankel was then sent off a red-hot favourite in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar, in which she duly obliged in fine style.
She looks to have the world at her feet, and she’s the one to beat in the first fillies’ classic of the season.
The unbeaten Godolphin filly DESERT FLOWER has made light work of all four career wins. Winning twice at the July course in impressive fashion by a combined 9.075 lengths. She was then too good in the G2 May Hill Stakes and then added the G1 Fillies’ Mile to her name over C&D, powering away to win comfortably by 5½l. She was proven at the top level at two and will be dangerous to dismiss.
FAIRY GODMOTHER was last seen when winning the G3 Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot last June. Prior to that Ascot victory, she won the G3 Fillies Sprint Stakes at Naas over 6f. She’s untried at anything further than six furlongs, but her sire Night Of Thunder won the 2000 Guineas, so the trip should be no issue.
VERSE OF LOVE produced a scintillating performance on her sole start, winning by 5l over 7f on the Rowley Mile. She was sent off favourite that day, so there was confidence behind the Siyouni filly, but I don’t think anyone expected her to win with such ease. She looks an exciting prospect going into her three-year-old campaign.
EXACTLY was kept busy last term, running on seven occasions. The Daughter of the great Frankel has some very solid pieces of form. Winning a Leopardstown maiden and finishing placed in Group 1 and 2 company before getting a much-deserved success in the Group 3 Killavullan Stakes. She’s battle-hardened and could be one to bear in mind with all that experience under her belt.
However, favourites don’t have a great record in the race, so there’s surely some each-way value to be found.
The well-named BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD made a captivating impression on her debut over 7f on the Rowley Mile, clearing away from her rivals and putting the race to bed in a matter of strides. Trainer Ralph Beckett is an expert at training fillies, finding the key to them, and she looks sure to progress further this season. She holds an Irish Oaks entry but with her already proven form at this track and the extra furlong being no issue, she’s an each-way player.
