QUAD ON THE NOD
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QUADRILATERAL’S 1,000 Guineas hopes looked in tatters at halfway in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket – at the post, they were back on course.
A 9-4 favourite at the off, Quadrilateral was trading at 75-1 on Betfair soon after halfway when she appeared to be treading water. But she rallied on the far rail to get up and beat the slowstarting Powerful Breeze by a head, with Love back in third.
Roger Charlton, the winning trainer, admitted he was staring at defeat. Now he is dreaming of returning to Newmarket for next year’s 1,000 Guineas.
“I thought three furlongs from home, we are not running well, she had come off the bridle and it’s not going to happen,” he said.
“But she kept responding and did really well to get there.
“She fought like good ’un. We can now keep the dream alive for coming back here in May.”
Charlton admitted that Quadrilateral is the best filly he has trained and he also complimented rider Jason Watson.
“It’s not a bad ending to the year when together we’ve had two Group Twos (with Headman) and two Group Ones (Aspetar and Quadrilateral),” added Charlton. “It’s a big ask for someone as young as Jason (19) and we have had faith in him. He deserves all the success he gets.”
Quadrilateral, favourite for next year’s Guineas before yesterday’s race, is now 5-1 from 10-1 with Paddy Power for the Classic.
Rose Of Kildare also staked her claim for the same race after taking the Oh So Sharp Stakes in the hands of Joe Fanning.
This was the remarkably tough filly’s 12th outing of the campaign and her trainer Mark Johnston admitted it would be her last outing of the season, due to a lack of further opportunities.
“The winner of this race normally goes to the British Guineas, so why would we go anywhere else,” said Johnston.