A close-up of the mouthwatering 1,000 Guineas
The day is at hand. The first Classic race (five in total) for the year, the 1000 Guineas for fillies over one mile has been given the all clear signal and the starter should be ready with flag in hand today at Caymanas Park.
Buoyed by the sponsorship of L P Azar Limited, 15 of the best fillies will compete in the $3.6 million race and for the honour of being a part of history and being placed in the special category of Classic winner. It is a once in a lifetime occasion as the five Classic races are only run for three-year-olds.
Let’s analyse the chances of the 15 declared starters.
GO GO TRAIN R Mitchell H Parsard
This Western Classic – Shaneisha filly has always finished behind the main contenders and will continue to do so.
PERFECT DAY A Robles G Subratie
Finished second in the Thornbird, caught in the last stride. The trip holds no fear but the number two draw does. Perfect Day is not known for speed and might find combatting the expected thick traffic difficult. She is fit as hands can make her, and is expected to run well. Watch her in the final furlong. Expected time 1:41.3. (Distorted-Valors Star)
COUNTRY TRAIN Dal Brown H Parsard
Has no chance. (Image Maker-Storm Within)
OLYMPIC PROSPECT P Francis G Subratie
Firmly put in her place in the Thornbird and will not relish the extra furlong as her breeding has repeatedly shown. For Olympic Prospect to win this race she has to go in front and dictate. The number four draw places additional pressure on her to get a good start. Will play a role but not a winning one. Expected time 1:42.1. (Vanadium-Golden Olympio)
FIERCEANDFABULOUS S Ellis A Nunes
Shane Ellis’ decision to ride Fierceandfabulous as the stable jock is most instructive. This many times Classic winner is sending a clear message that of the Nunes lot, his choice is the better one. This filly has not shown anything to suggest that she will influence proceedings. (Burning Marque-First Choice)
ZACAPA T Simpson G Subratie
Will benefit from the outing. (Alisios-Buns of Steel)
MONEY MOVE R Mairs F Glispie
Will benefit from the outing. (Burning Marque-Money Maker)
PRINCESS SASSY A Martin N Ennevor
Still needs time to develop. (Traditional-Princess Lal)
ARGENTINA W Griffiths P McMaster
The leader of the pack, two wins from two starts including a storming finish to capture the Thornbird. The one furlong extra she will run in the 1000 is perfect. She is advancing rapidly and has not been overly pushed at exercise.
Argentina is fit very fit and is coming to establish her dominance over peers. She displays all the attributes of a champion and if she is to be beaten it will require her having an off day. Expected to run 1:40.1. (Dayton Flyer- Sabatini)
WESTERN ROSE C Malcolm G Subratie
Coming to come, but not yet. (Western Classic-Timeless Rose).
OFFICIAL REPORT H Lewis C Anderson
Needs time. (Burning Marque-Special Clearance)
LADY SHARVANI O Walker G Subratie
She finished a full second behind Argentina in the Thornbird and also stablemate Perfect Day. She is improving but not at the rate required to win. Expected to run 1:42.2. (Legal Process-Lady Hyderabad)
SELECTABOOK D Cardenas A Nunes
This filly is coming along nicely. Is a known front runner and will be coming down from the 13 draw to challenge all and sundry for the lead. Selectabook has not yet displayed the ability of getting eight furlongs effectively. The figure 8 is off and while this move should aid her performance it will not be enough for her to win. Expected time 1:42.4 (Natural Selection-Buyabook)
RHEA’S A SUPERSTAR D Nelson Ryan Darby
Will not achieve the status of her nomenclature. (Traditional-La Cerentola)
LADY ABHIJITA O Foster R Azan
Her run in the Thornbird is best forgotten. Lady Abhijita is coming along nicely yet will have to make almost untold progress to defeat those ahead of her. Yet one must never underestimate trainer Azan in these races. She will be ridden by the only apprentice in the line-up without the benefit of a weight claim. Expected to run 1:44.3 (Miracle Man-Lady Bakul)
The choice — Argentina
The quinella — Argentina – Lady Abhijita