Racing Centre

TRAINER JAMES Fanshawe this morning showcased his leading Stan JamesUK 1000 Guineas prospect Spacious.

Despite the rain and the cold wind, the unbeaten daughter of Nayef drew a large media gathering to Fanshawe’s Pegasus Stables, based on Newmarket’s Snailwell Road.

A 13/2 chance with the sponsors for Sunday May 4’s fillies’ Classic on The NatWest Rowley Mile, she certainly appears to have done well since her Group 2 May Hill Stakes triumph at Doncaster.

Fanshawe has yet to ask the Cheveley Park-owned filly any searching questions this spring but is happy with her as the countdown to the 1000 Guineas begins in earnest.

He has indicated that he would prefer to send his star filly for a trial, but added that it wasn’t essential for her.

He said: “Obviously, I would like to run her in a trial but it isn’t the be-all and end-all. She is a clean-winded filly.

“We’ve got four weeks to go until the Nell Gwyn and the Fred Darling Stakes so we’ve got a bit of time.

“At the moment, she is still quite woolly. But she has been sensible hanging on to her winter coat,” added Fanshawe, with a reference to the current weather conditions.

Her rider Jamie Spencer was also present and is looking forward to renewing acquaintances with Spacious.

He told www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk: “She is an exciting filly and these are the ones that make winter shorter.

“I’ve been very lucky for Cheveley Park in the past and I would hope that continues.

“She seems to have done everything right so far. She was a very tall filly last year and I was quite surprised at how precocious she was for her size.

“I would hope that now she has grown into her frame, she will improve quite a bit more.”

Stan JamesUK 2000 Guineas entry Sir Gerry – last year’s Gimcrack scorer - was also paraded in front of the media and he will be trialled to assess his stamina capabilities.

Fanshawe said: “You can forget his last run in the Middle Park – he went in his coat overnight before the race.

“But I am really pleased with him. He has done a couple of little bits of work and seems in good form.

“Hopefully, he will go for the Greenham (over seven furlongs at Newbury on April 19) and we will get more of an idea about his trip. But I’m sure his owner will have a lot of fun with him this year.”