Soliloquy merits 1,000 Guineas vote GODOLPHIN FILLY MAKES ALL-OUT BID TO WIN GROUP 3 NELL GWYN STAKES AT NEWMARKET
The Charlie Applebytrained Soliloquy earned an emphatic vote for next month’s English 1,000 Guineas (Group 1) after posting an authoritative victory over her rivals in the Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse on a sunny afternoon yesterday.
The daughter of Dubawi arrived on the back of a victory in novice company, but wasted no time to announce herself as a horse with Classic potential.
Ridden with noteworthy confidence by William Buick, the winner scored by 1 3/4 lengths from joint-favourite Altym Orda, the mount of reigning British champion jockey Silvestre de Souza, who had in turn had a neck to spare over the fast-finishing Eirene, ridden by Robert Winstory.
“We were quite confident coming here as she has been giving us a good feel at home,” said Appleby.
“William was confident to make it on her and he’s giving her a great ride on the front end. If you’re fortunate enough to have a nice horse it’s best to keep it simple and not overcomplicate things and we were hopeful she’s a nice filly.
Supplementary entry
“I see no reason won’t be making a supplementary entry.”
Soliloquy does not have an entry for the 1,000 Guineas, but British bookmakers Betfair introduced her into the market at odds of 16-1, provided she is supplemented.
Following his second victory at the Craven meeting after Aurum’s success in the Maiden Stakes on Tuesday, Appleby will be hoping that Glorious Journey and Masar, his two runners in today’s Group 3 Craven Stakes (1,600m), can maintain why we Guineas the stable’s momentum and also lay down a marker for the 2,000 Guineas.
Glorious Journey, an unbeaten son of Dubawi, looked a promising sort when he won both his career starts last season, including a French Group 3. He will be ridden by James Doyle.
Masar caught the eye when taking out the Group 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown Park last September, but did not handle the dirt surface at Dubai’s Meydan Racecourse earlier this year, when finishing down the field in the Listed Al Bastakiya.
Now back on turf, a lot more can be expected from this talented son of New Approach, who will be ridden by Appleby Buick.
Roaring Lion is a 6/1 thirdfavourite for the 2000 Guineas on May 5, but a strong performance today could see him leap to the top of the market.
The Craven is regarded as a key trial for the Guineas, however, the last horse to go on to win the Classic back in 2004.
Having said that, Roaring Lion looks a class act judged on his close third in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last season.
A lot more can be understood from his effort in the Royal was Haafhd Lodge Trophy at Newmarket where he showed plenty of guts to deny the highly thought-of Nelson by a neck.
Oisin Murphy, a rapidly maturing rider, will also hope to give Roaring Lion’s handler, the legendary John Gosden, a first 2,000 Guineas Trophy.
16/1 Soliloquy’s odds for the 1,000 Guineas which is on May 6
The star of the opening day of the three-day Craven meeting was the Mark Johnstontrained Mildenberger who earned a shout for the Group 1 Dante Stakes, a notable Derby trial following his hugely likeable performance in the Listed Feilden Stakes.