Qabala takes lead in 1,000 Guineas field
QABALA leapt to the head of the betting for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas with a decisive victory in the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket yesterday. The Roger Varian-trained filly, who beat her stablemate Mot Juste by a length and a quarter, gave jockey David Egan the biggest win of his career. An open 1,000 Guineas market had reflected the fact that no filly had been able to lay down emphatic claims. It has been an ante-post market crying out for direction and that in part explained why Qabala, who won on her Newmarket debut in September, was as short as 9-2 favourite last night with Mot Juste 20-1. Varian believes Qabala can improve for the run but also put in a good word for Mot Juste. The 40-year-old trainer said: ‘Qabala has not come in her coat yet and I nearly didn’t run her. She will look different in her appearance next time she races. ‘Mot Juste ran a great race. She went there to win her race and got a bit tired up the hill before getting her second wind. They are two nice fillies.’ Trainer William Haggas will step up Oaks entry Maqsad in class after she opened her account in the maiden. Haggas said: ‘She is a nice filly who disappointed me last year.’
TRAINER John Gosden will decide whether favourite Too Darn Hot can run in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas after this weekend.
The unbeaten colt, owned by composer Lord Lloyd Webber, missed the Greenham Stakes at Newbury last Saturday with a leg issue and his Classic run is in the balance.
Gosden said: ‘There was heat in the splint bone which is why we couldn’t run. It was only six days ago but has improved a great deal. Over the weekend one’s got to be making decisions. It is not one of these things where you um and ah up to the race.
‘After the weekend I will know and make a decision.’ Dewhurst Stakes winner Too Darn Hot is 6-4 for the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 4.
A clutch of Guineas possibles, headed by Saeed bin Suroor’s Royal Marine, line up in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket today.
Andrew Balding-trained Shine So Bright earned his place in the 2,000 Guineas place with victory in yesterday’s European Free Handicap.
Gosden’s Kick On, winner of the Feilden Stakes, is likely to be aimed at the French 2,000 Guineas at Longchamp on May 12.