Monday 26th April 2010
Special Duty heads 23 left in StanJames.com 1000 Guineas
Kieren Fallon and trainer Marcus Tregoning at the StanJames.com Guineas Festival media luncheon at Lord's today. Picture: Dan Abrahams
ANTE-post favourite Special Duty is among the 23 remaining entrants for this Sunday’s StanJames.com 1000 Guineas.
The Criquette Head-Maarek trained filly, who is 7/2 with the sponsors for the fillies’ Classic, was beaten in her trial race in France last month but remains on track for the weekend showdown at Newmarket.
Lord Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdulla, said of their Cheveley Park Stakes winner: “She’s come out of her trial race at Chantilly very well and Criquette is very pleased with her.
“It was not the result we exactly wanted at Chantilly but she was up against fit fillies and will have come on for that run.
“She’s shown a lot of speed but we think she’ll get the trip and good fast ground won’t be a problem for her.”
Also present at a special StanJames.com Guineas Guineas media luncheon at Lord's cricket ground was jockey Kieren Fallon who had news of his intended ride in the StanJames 1000 Guineas, Seta.
The Luca Cumani-trained filly, the 6/1 second favourite, is the preferred ride of the six-time champion rider who could have opted for the Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes winner Music Show.
Fallon, who has been aboard no fewer than four past 1000 Guineas winners, said: “Seta was very impressive in her work on the Rowley Mile last week and that’s why I picked her. She worked with two older horses and went very well.
“The ground is a worry though and we’re just hoping it’s not too fast.”
