Raceday review — Saturday, March 9

IF ever a race provided a defining turn towards the major goal of winning a Classic event, then look no further than the seven-furlong Thornbird Stakes, the last of the preparation races for fillies leading to the attack on the 1,000 Guineas.

Pre-race talk and speculation before the seven-furlong Thornbird event run on Saturday last was mainly centred on the fortunes of the Gary Subraite-trained Olympic Prospect, Perfect Day and Lady Sharvani. Princess Sassy then came on the scene with a good debut, Selectabook was in with a chance, while despite fairly decent exercise spins Argentina was still an unknown quantity after winning coming from way behind on New Year’s Day over five-and-a-half furlongs.

One of the main areas of speculation was which of these leaders among the fillies was able to effectively get seven furlongs and beyond, bearing in mind that the 1,000 Guineas is run over a mile and the other major race designated for fillies — the Jamaica Oaks — is a 10-furlong event.

Well, when the dust settled on Saturday nearly all the doubts were cleared. Argentina, ridden by Prince Holder and trained by Peter McMaster, ‘flew’ over the last two furlongs of the race in the process strongly holding off the challenge of Perfect Day (Ameth Robles) with Lady Sharvani (Winston Griffiths) third.

Starting odds of 7/1 for Argentina suggested that the wily and astute members of the betting public were still unsure about the abilities of the Dayton Flyer-Sabatini-bred chestnut filly.

They now know that Argentina is a filly of class with a record of two wins from two starts. She seems comfortable going a distance of ground making the one-mile trip of the Guineas right within her porch way. Argentina is sure to start favourite on Guineas Day and quite rightly so. Her performance on Saturday was inspiring to say the least.

Prince Holder is to be praised for a patient, well-executed and disciplined ride. The pint-sized apprentice kept his cool as Selectabook led from the off. He watched carefully from mid-pack, making his move at the top of the straight and riding vigorously over the last furlong and a half to thwart the challenge of Perfect Day with Lady Sharvani never putting in the expected punch. Odds on favourite in the Thornbird, Olympic Prospect gave the impression that she prefers sprinting, while none of the others did anything to suggest they can alter the placings come Guineas Day.

Holder is gaining in strength and popularity. He has endeared himself to the public who heartily cheered him on his return to the winners’ unsaddling enclosure. Holder’s ride on Argentina also put away conjecture that he is uncomfortable riding from behind, preferring instead to ride while leading. He may prefer riding from in front but that does not preclude him from doing otherwise. He is a young professional still learning his craft and Saturday’s win on Argentina is just a significant advancement on his learning curve. If he is to go further he must continue his hard work at exercise and not be bitten by the bug of his newly found popular status.

As fate might have it though, there looms the strong possibility that Holder will not partner Argentina in the 1,000 Guineas as trainer McMaster gave a strong hint in his post-race interview that Winston Griffiths will be offered the ride if he so desires.

The young rider is having a terrific year so far already riding 14 winners. He is the leader among the latest batch of apprentices with Shamaree Muir second.

The Guineas picture is now much clearer and through the fog and the mist present before the running of the Thornbird Stakes on Saturday last, Argentina has placed herself in full picturesque view of the racing public.

The turn of the colts and geldings comes on Saturday next with the running of the Prince Consort Stakes, the male equivalent of the Thornbird. Expect to see the seasonal bow of Hoovercraft, winner of last year’s one-mile Jamaica Two-Year-Old Stakes, and Perfect Neighbour, with the very exciting Rock Union and Willie Goldsmith also scheduled to participate.

CARDENAS BACK IN FORM

Champion jockey 2011, Dick Cardenas after many racedays without riding a winner, is once again figuring prominently. After breaking his drought on Wednesday last with wins on Deo Volente and Power By Light, the Panamanian returned on Saturday with a triple, Remember Me for Lawrence Freemantle, Aventura for Gresford Smith and Rivers of Babylon for Patrick Chang.

The period of challenge and uncertainty recently faced by Cardenas is seemingly over and with it has come a welcomed return to form from which racing can only benefit.

Champion Dane Nelson, despite a suspension hovering over his shoulders, continued his good form of the season with two winners, The Legacy for Wayne DaCosta and Rhea’s A Superstar for Ryan Darby. His appeal will now be heard on March 21.

Leader of the pack, Omar Walker rather surprisingly was winless on the day.

PRAISE FOR AVENTURA

Trainer Gresford Smith is to be praised for his handling of Aventura. After the major disappointment of last year when the then three-year-old Storm Craft-Galaxy Girl gelding was disqualified in the Governor’s Cup, one of the top races for the age group, he has quietly and humbly taken the setback, preferring instead to work and develop his charge.

That approach is now paying handsome dividends as Aventura is now qualified for the Overnight Allowance grouping where he should under the astute guidance of Smith develop even further.

Well done, Sir ‘Greasie’.