PERFECTLY POISED FOR GUINEAS
PERFECT POWER galloped to a comeback victory in Newbury’s Group 3 Watership Down Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes — and a 2,000 Guineas challenge is next.
But connections of the Richard Fahey-trained colt will ponder a run in the Newmarket Classic in 13 days’ time – or the French version, the
Poule d’Essai des Poulains, at Longchamp on May 15.
A question mark hung over the colt’s staying power for a mile after two Group 1 triumphs over six furlongs — Perfect Power won Deauville’s Prix Morny and the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket — as a juvenile last year.
But, after watching Christophe Soumillon’s mount justify 6-4 favouritism by a length and a half from Lusail, owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum’s racing manager Bruce Raymond opined: “I think he’ll stay.
“I know Sheikh Rashid would prefer to go to the English Guineas — he didn’t say, ‘Let’s go to France!’ — but he wouldn’t want it too firm.” Success over the Rowley Mile on April 30 — bookies quote Ardad’s son at 8-1 for
Newmarket and 6-1 for Longchamp – would make Perfect Power the first 2,000 Guineas winner trained in the north since the Mark Johnston-saddled Mister Baileys in 1994.
“Christophe said he’d stay seven last year but when a horse has got so much speed, like he has, it’s always a worry in your mind,” said Maltonbased Fahey.
“He’s rated 115. We’ve had horses rated higher but you just love this guy. He’s a gent at home, and a warrior of a horse. He could be a freak. I hope he is!”
Wild beauty landed the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Stakes to earn a quote of 4-1 second favourite for the French 1,000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.
“She stayed on really well and went through the gears nicely from just over three out,” said William Buick, who rode the Charlie Appleby trainee to a half-length margin over Jumbly.