Inagural Runnng of Newmarket’s Guineas G II

          The sun rises upon frosted turf , the crystals glistening like millions of tiny diamonds upon the very surface that an impending titanic battle is to be waged upon . Sophomore fillies have come to Newmarket this week to compete in the inaugural running of the Guineas Trial -G II , a mile of challenging turf and the purse of $250,000 at stake . Who will be the very first Trainer to capture glory and place their name upon the victory cup ?

 

          The class of the turf division has graced our presence today . Last years Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf Filly – G I Champion Urban Quest (ENG) seeks to be the first among what I hope is another Sim milestone for Turf fillies . 

 

 

          On the rail at  5 / 1 ridden by the gifted youngster Bo Edwards is The King’s Hunter (IRE)  ( Azamour x King of Kings x Jade Hunter )  trained by Ticketman0 . Stakes placed at 2 , this filly has really come alive this season gaining her first G I win February 17 th in Italy’s Train Yard Special – G I over 9 furlongs  1:50:1/5  91 SPf  beating no less than 8 Graded winners in the process . She is  4 : 2-1-0 this season Ranked # 5 Classic & # 5 Long on the Grass and looks extremely fit today . Stalking seems to be her forte’ and today should see her in a premium position to challenge at the wire .

 

          In post 2 is Rhaenyra (KY)  9 / 1 ( Storm Cat x Danehill x Seeking the Gold )  from the stables of trainer Lopo87 and ridden by crafty veteran jockey Ni Ambrose . This well bred filly is 9 : 4-1-1 lifetime even though she started her career on dirt . The switch to grass ignited this fillies desire to win and she hasn’t looked back since racking up a record of  5 : 3-1-0 for this multiple Stakes winner .  Ranked  156 in the Classic Turf Division , she makes the next logical step into graded company today to see if she indeed belongs among the Great Turf fillies of 2007 .

 

          In post 3 at 5 / 1 with the sensational A. Williams aboard is the  Brabant trained filly Brabasong (KY) ( Unbridled’s Song x Sadler’s Wells x Mill Reef ) . This royally bred filly had a near flawless freshman campaign on the lawn last year going  10 : 7-1-1 with multiple Stakes and Graded wins . As the # 2 ranked sprinter , she bullied all who apposed her going short , mercilessly running at the lead or stalking . When taken 2 turns for the first time in last years Breeders Bowl Juvenile Turf Filly -G I , she faded early and finished 11 th out of 14 . This year she started off strong capturing Hong Kong’s Triangular Star Stakes – G III going 8.5 furlongs in 1:43:2/5 94 SPf  wire to wire shellacking of a 9 horse field . Once again the up in G I company and the fade happened again going 9 furlongs February 17th in Italy’s  Train Yard Special – G I . She turns it back to a mile today to see if she can recapture that winning form from last year .

 

          In post 4 is Glen of Aherlow (KY)   8 / 1  ( Action this Day x Thatching (IRE) x Nijinsky II )  trained by Borrow1 and ridden by sly veteran jockey T. Heck .  This spunky filly comes into today’s action 6 : 3-2-1 and has added multiple Stakes placed to her resume’ this year . A big jump up in class will test her to her limits today and determine whether she belongs running in these conditions .

 

          In post 5 at 8 / 1 is the Trifecta trained runner Bodb (IRE) ( Sadler’s Wells x Kingmambo x Raise A Native ) , the sensational A. Craig gets the nod . This fiery daughter of Legendary sire Sadler’s Wells is undefeated in 4 lifetime starts with over $ 127,000 in earnings with the lions share coming from her last romp March 17 th over this very same track in The Newmarket Stakes – ST  1:37:3/5 winning easily by 2 1/2 lengths  81 SPf . A big jump up in class will answer if this filly is for real or not . Every one of her wins are by no less than   2 1/4 lengths … will she put up that kind of performance today ?

 

          In post 6 is Uncommon (AUS) ( Redoute’s Choice (AUS) x Hennessy x Kingmambo   )  5 / 1 . With the Solid veteran T . Cooper in the irons , trainer Xiaoyih feels confident of his charges chances today .  A winner at 2 , this season has seen a huge improvement going  3 : 2-1-0 in Stakes company setting a furious pace and daring all to try to catch her . She turns it back to a mile this start and hopes to continue her European tear against Graded opposition .

 

          In post 7 is the Battlers trained filly and betting favorite at  4 / 1  Urban Quest (ENG) ( Rainbow Quest x Kris S. x Vaguely Noble )  , the aggressive riding J. Bradley gets the assignment .  This chestnut daughter of Rainbow Quest captured the imagination of millions last year when she ran down the Sims elite juvenile fillies in the Breeder’s Bowl Juvenile Turf Filly – G I to sit at the head of the feasting table with a string of 5 wins to end the year .  Ranked # 3 in the Classic / Long turf division , she has started off slow in comparison to her Freshman campaign . She came back into form last start in March 24 th’s How Are You Gentlemen Cup – G I in New South Wales going 8.5 furlongs  96 SPf and a much needed 2nd place . Today she bares the claws and goes for the jugular , sparing none in her path .

 

          In post 8 at  6 / 1   is  Regatta (AUS)  ( Elvstroem (AUS) x Darshaan (ENG) x Candy Stripes )  ridden by the smart I . Jones and trained by Simon1966 . A winner first asking and Stakes winner at 2 , this filly has been on a mission this year winning her last 3 handily .  Her last start in Grade I  company did not go so well and sent her packing back to lower races . Confidence is a thing built slowly and this filly looks primed and ready to take on the divisions best . Her last win came March 17 th in Ascot’s  The Cleveland Town Stakes – ST over 9 furlongs  1:49:4/5  95 SPf . This filly really seems comfortable going 9 furlongs , it’s truly a shame she didn’t go that or farther this week .

 

          In post 9 is Widow’s Watch (KY)   ( Forestry x Gone West x Seattle Slew  )  13 / 1   ridden by veteran P. Riggs and trained by Stormborn2  .  Despite an early career on dirt , this filly has manage to put together an string of solid efforts including a long Stakes place . Truly better at 7 furlongs , she takes on the divisions elite today in complete defiance going 8 furlongs .

 

          On the outside is the day’s long shot runner Block of Units (ENG)  ( Selkirk x Chester House x Forty Niner )  21 / 1  ridden by I Weinman and representing the stables of trainer  Corza  .  A Stakes winner on dirt at 2 , Stakes placed on turf at 2 ; this filly returned to the grass and hasn’t seen the winners circle since the turn of the year . Having said all that , lets bear in mind she has yet to go 2 turns and her breeding says ” GET AFTER IT !! ” Personally I might have tried a listed Stakes firsat but … to each his own .