Pussy Galore seeks Gold

– Chelsea Thoroughbreds pride themselves in naming their syndicated horses after characters in James Bond films and today it's the turn of PUSSY GALORE to take to the stage at Salisbury.

The Harbour Watch filly is named after Ian Fleming's femme fatale in his 1959 novel Goldfinger who escorts Bond to Goldfinger's stud farm and locks him in a cell.

Incidentally Goldfinger was moulded on the American Charles Engelhard, owner of the 1970 Epsom Derby winner Nijinsky.

He also bought Elevation for a record price at the yearling sales in South Africa and after the American died the three-time Summer Cup champion was bought by Dennis and Peggy Mosenthal and Eric Gallo.

The equine Pussy Galore

London

should carry the hopes of Chelsea Thoroughbreds Gold with distinction in the Virginia Walwyn Memorial EBF Quidhampton Maiden Stakes (Div2).

Richard Hannon has taken his time with Pussy Galore who works well and has solid Eachway claims in the 1400m contest.

On a poignant day former champion trainer Peter Walwyn will be on hand to present the trophies for both this race and the Bathwick Tyres Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes.

Poole was one of his principle patrons and Walwyn will raise a wry smile should Andrew Balding take the spoils in the Group 3 feature with PERFECT ANGEL.

The daughter of Dark Angel looked good value for her narrow winning margin at Goodwood last month as she travelled so well she got to the front plenty soon enough. The form has worked out and I can envisage Oisin Murphy playing a waiting game before letting his mount off the steel late in the game.