By Tom Frary
While the 2000 Guineas picture looks more or less clear at present, the fillies' equivalent is much less so with the retirement of Commissioning (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and the attendance of Tahiyra (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) currently in the balance. Perhaps Newmarket's seven-furlong G3 Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn S., always a key trial for the Classic, will provide even sharper focus on Wednesday as several likely types gather on the Rowley Mile. Frankie Dettori's winning return to the UK on Tuesday bodes well as he climbs aboard Juddmonte's exciting Coppice (GB) (Kingman {GB}), who dazzled on debut at Kempton in October and bids to fill the Commissioning-sized hole for the John and Thady Gosden armada.
“She has the double-edged sword of stepping out of maiden company and her first time on grass, which is never ideal,” Juddmonte's Barry Mahon said. “But she is a nice filly and hopefully she can run a good race that might lead us to a Classic somewhere if she runs well.”
Fast Tracked to the Big Time
Like Coppice, Barnane Stud's Girl Racer (Ire) (No Nay Never) also impressed on the all-weather on her racecourse bow but unlike her has just a three-week gap to bridge from novice company to this high standard. The daughter of the fittingly-titled South African starlet In The Fast Lane (SAf) (Jet Master {SAf}) looked a strong prospect at Wolverhampton, of that there is no doubt, but these are deep waters for one so inexperienced even from the William Haggas stable. Keeping to the theme of once-raced Classic pretenders, there is another Gosden representative with just a Kempton novice score to her name in George Strawbridge's Inner Space (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), a daughter of the luminary Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) who may need more time, while Cheveley Park Stud's silks are carried by the similarly regally-bred Karsavina (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}). The Clive Cox trainee has already won over this track and trip on her sole start in October and has help from the genes, descending from one of the finest 1000 Guineas heroines in Russian Rhythm (Kingmambo).
“She really impressed with her maiden success over course and distance last autumn,” Cox commented. “She's a filly that has strengthened over the winter and we're pleased that she has done well and given us every indication she has taken a step forwards, so we're looking forward to coming back to Newmarket. She coped well with conditions last autumn and course and distance form is quite valuable.”
Intinso Sits Feilden Test
If Newmarket Wednesday is all about fledgling, unproven talent, then the nine-furlong Listed Feilden S. could play host to another future name of not in Imad Al Sagar's TDN Rising Star Intinso (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}). Yet another who impressed on the all-weather, the relative of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) was at Newcastle in October to introduce himself in bold fashion and Hollie Doyle will be dreaming about more Classic glory in 2023. “He won what looked a fairly poor race but he won it quite comfortably,” the owner's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said. “He's wintered well and been very straightforward coming up to this. John [Gosden] has been pleased with him, he's a lovely-actioned horse and this looks a good spot to test his credentials.” This renewal looks one of the tougher ones, with Charlie Appleby saddling two including the seven-furlong novice winner Regal Honour (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) who is a half-brother to the classy Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) and Summer Romance (Ire) (Kingman {GB}).
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