Winter’s tale a classic story of taking the right line for a chance to shine
● Ballydoyle filly holds on for victory to give O’brien Guineas double
Stopping the Coolmore juggernaut from dominating this year’s Classics could prove a difficult task after Winter gifted trainer Aidan O’brien a weekend to remember in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket yesterday.
After having watched Churchill win the 2000 Guineas on Saturday, the Ballydoyle master had even more cause for celebration after the daughter of Galileo provided O’brien with a 1-2 in the fillies’ Classic.
Although the market suggested that an O’brien victory was likely, it was his supposed second string that landed the spoils, with last year’s Fillies’ Mile winner Rhododendron forced to play a supporting role as the 5-4 favourite.
Having shown plenty of promise for former trainer David Wachman last year, and on her return for her new handler at Leopardstown last month, Winter (9-1) was kept wide by Wayne Lordan throughout the early stages, behind pacesetters Hydrangea and Intricately.
Two furlongs out, it looked as though the daughter of Galileo was going to face her sternest test from once-raced maiden winner Talaayeb and Nell Gwyn heroine Daban.
But as both of those challengers faded, all eyes were on Rhododendron, who suffered a troubled passage but started to hit top gear on the climb to the line. However, it was too little, too late as Winter held on by two lengths to give Lordan a first British Classic.
The winner was cut from 20-1 into 7-1 for the Oaks by Boylesports, while Paddy Power introduced O’brien’s inmate as the 6-4 favourite for the Irish 1,000 Guineas.
O’brien, pictured, said: “She had a lovely run first time at Leopardstown and David [Wachman] thought the world of her when she came to us. He thought she would be a Classic filly this year. Wayne knew her from last year and from Leopardstown and he gave her a great ride. She is a big, powerful mare. She gets a mile very well and you would say she would get a mile and a quarter and she could get further.
“Rhododendron didn’t get a clear run and it was a little bit messy, but they don’t always get clear runs and it doesn’t always happen.
“We always thought she would get further than a mile. We thought she could be an Oaks filly.”
Winning any Classic for the first time is always a special occasion and the moment was certainly not lost on Lordan.
He said: “This means a lot. I’m very grateful to Aidan for letting me keep the ride on the filly. It feels great.
“She was quite a big twoyear-old and we always felt she was pretty good. She has a very high cruising speed and kept going when she came off the bridle and she picked up well.”
Coolmore partner Michael Tabor hopes the achievements of the weekend can set the tone for another dominant season. He said: “It is the start of the season and it is a long season. I hope it continues for us but I am sure there will be a lot of competition over the next few months and it will get harder.”
John Gosden intimated that a drop back in trip at Royal Ascot awaits Daban, who was third. He said: “She has won a Nell Gwyn and finished third in Guineas. She will go back for the Jersey.”