Classic runner-up Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), second in the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas on Sunday, is eyeing several Group 1 races later in the spring for her reappearance including the June 4 G1 Cazoo Oaks. The Jane Chapple-Hyam trainee emerged from her Newmarket effort in good form. Other races under consideration are the June 18 G1 Coronation S. during Royal Ascot, the G1 Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh on May 23, and the G1 Pretty Polly S. at on June 27.
“She's fine and licked her bowl clean,” said Chapple-Hyam. “I suppose we felt every emotion–delighted with how she ran, but gutted to come so close to winning a Classic.
“The owners are now making a decision whether they want to run her in the Oaks or not. When they were pulling up as they go up the hill, she was full of it. She certainly stayed every yard of the mile. You could nearly say she was first off the bridle because she wanted further.”
A winner of the G3 Oh So Sharp S. last October, the chestnut was also second in the G3 Nell Gwyn S. at HQ in her 3-year-old bow on Apr. 14.
“She's a filly who is versatile on all goings,” added Chapple-Hyam. “She won the Oh So Sharp on soft, and handled fast ground on Sunday. That opens up going abroad with her, because you're not worried whether it's going to rain or not, which is a big plus.
“She's so uncomplicated, so genuine–and it looks exciting times for her stallion, New Bay. Her pedigree says a mile, to be fair, but New Bay won a French Derby and was third in an Arc.
“We're not in the Prix Diane–with Covid and Brexit, there's enough headaches. So she's in the Oaks, the Coronation and also the Pretty Polly at The Curragh over 10 furlongs–so we've got all distances covered. She's also in the Irish Guineas, so it's up to the owners where they want to go–and I'll get her ready for it.”
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