March 28, 2024

Dawn Approach set for Guineas; Lines of Battle still eligible

Last updated: 4/29/13 2:41 PM


Dawn Approach set for Guineas; Lines of Battle still
eligible

The first two classics of the British Flat season take place this weekend
among a glittering two days of racing at Newmarket.
The Group 1 Two Thousand Guineas, the first of the season’s five classics, has attracted
14 runners at the six-day stage, headed by the red-hot favorite Dawn Approach.

Godolphin’s star turn has not been beaten in any of his six starts and the Jim
Bolger-trained colt is one of seven Irish-trained horses remaining in the
one-mile showpiece.

Aidan O’Brien has four possible starters — Cristoforo Colombo, George Vancouver,
Mars and Lines of Battle.

U.A.E. Derby hero Lines of Battle is also in Saturday’s Kentucky Derby,
however, and is expected to ship to Churchill Downs.

Richard Hannon has narrowed his options down,
with just Toronado and Van Der Neer still in the race.
Marco Botti has left in Greenham runner-up Moohaajim, while Sir Henry Cecil’s
maiden Kyllachy Rise is also a possible starter.

On the undercard, Universal and Noble Mission, respective first and third in the
John Porter at Newbury, are set to renew rivalry in the Group 2 Jockey Club
Stakes.

The former, trained by Mark Johnston, had Cecil’s Noble Mission a half-length behind in a thrilling finish at the Berkshire track, with Quiz Mistress
separating the pair.
They feature among a select five-strong field, with Michael Bell’s globetrotter
Wigmore Hall in the frame to make his British return after finishing eighth in
the Dubai Duty Free last month.

Dandino could have his first start for Marco Botti after being bought by
Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.

David Barron’s exciting sprinter Pearl Secret could return in Saturday’s
Group 3 Palace House Stakes.
The Compton Place colt won his first four career starts, including the listed
Scurry Stakes at Sandown, before being pitched in at the top level in York’s Nunthorpe Stakes where he finished in midfield after meeting trouble in running.

Pearl Secret could now return in the five-furlong contest, where he is one of 24 entries in a race won by last year’s July Cup hero Mayson.
There is a strong entry with proven Group 1 campaigners Sole Power and Spirit
Quartz among the potential opponents.

On Sunday, the Group 1 One Thousand Guineas has 18 left,
including the Cecil-trained filly Hot Snap, the Nell Gwyn Stakes
winner at Newmarket earlier this month.

Her chief rival could Just The Judge, who has been to the fore of the betting
for the fillies’ classic ever since running away with the Rockfel Stakes on her
third and final start of 2012.

Trainer Charlie Hills has opted not to give her a prep run before the classic,
but she did head to Newmarket for a racecourse gallop last Saturday and Hills
believes that was just the ticket.

“Her racecourse gallop had the desired effect as it got the freshness out of her
and she has an enjoyable day out. Jamie Spencer rode her on Saturday and was
very happy so it’s all systems go,” he said.

“She’s done really well over the winter, hasn’t missed a day and we’ve been
happy with her the whole way through. She may well still look slightly hairy on
Sunday, but Ghanaati (whose box she stands in) looked very similar in her coat
and that didn’t stop her winning.”

What a Name, the top French challenger, is bang on course for the 200th running
of this historic race, according to her trainer, Mikel Delzangles. 

“I am very pleased with her and she has improved since winning the Prix
Imprudence (at Maisons-Laffitte on April 4),” Delzangles reported. 

“That was the perfect comeback for her as she did not have a hard race and was
only 80 percent fit. I would prefer fast ground for her on Sunday and I do not
think that the step up to a mile will be any problem. She is a very easy horse
to ride as she never pulls.” 

Delzangles knows what it takes to get a horse ready for the white hot heat of
Guineas competition as he saddled Makfi to land the Two Thousand Guineas three years
ago.

The O’Brien-trained Moth has been added to the field at a cost of £30,000.

Chief supporting race on Sunday is the Group 3 Dahlia Stakes, which
Sir Michael Stoute has won four times in the last six years. His participant this
time is Dank.



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