Gosden’s Girl can remain unbeaten
Indigo Girl can provide trainer John Gosden with a fifth victory in the bet365 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket.
It is 20 years since the master of Clarehaven first landed the Group One prize with Crystal Music, since when he has added to his tally with Playful Act (2004), Nannina (2005) and Rainbow View (2008).
Like the latter, Indigo Girl is owned and bred by George Strawbridge and lines up on the Rowley Mile with a very similar profile, with both fillies having won the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on their previous start.
While Rainbow View had already won the Sweet Solera before striking gold on Town Moor, Indigo Girl had only run once beforehand – winning a Yarmouth maiden less than a fortnight earlier.
It is testament to her latent talent that she belied her inexperience to win a Group Two on just her second outing, and evidence of the faith Gosden has in her that she was even allowed to take her chance. Further improvement looks almost certain and she is expected to prove very difficult to beat.
Method is fancied to resume winning ways in the Newmarket Academy Godolphin Beacon Project Cornwallis Stakes.
Martyn Meade’s juvenile looked every inch a top-class colt in the making in winning his first couple of starts at Doncaster and Newbury, beating a couple of very useful performers in Fev Rover and Mighty Gurkha in the process.
On the strength of that form, the son of Mehmas was well fancied to make a significant impact in the Middle Park a fortnight ago, but raced too freely, causing his saddle to slip and effectively costing him all chance.
Meade has admitted this drop to five furlongs might n ot be id ea l , but w i th th e ground likely to be on the soft side, his class might just see him through.
Irish raider Thinking Of You catches the eye in the Godolphin Lifetime Care Oh So Sharp Stakes.
A winner on her Limerick debut, Joseph O’Brien’s juvenile was last seen finishing third in the Group Three Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh, when she was doing her best work at the finish.
A stiff seven furlongs on soft ground at Newmarket should suit the daughter of American Pharoah and further progress is expected.
A chance is taken on Zakouskiin the Group T wo Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards Challenge Stakes.
Charlie Appleby’s inmate has not been seen in competitive action since sealing a second win at the Dubai Carnival at Meydan in February, but his capable trainer would hardly be bringing him back at this late stage of the season half-baked.