Ed Walker believes the decision to take in a racecourse gallop with The Prettiest Star will leave her spot on for the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The daughter of Starman continued her preparations for a shot at Classic glory after being put through her paces at the Rowley Mile ahead of racing at the Rowley Mile on Tuesday.
Last sighted finishing second in the Group Two Boyle Sports Home Of The Early Payout Rockfel Stakes over seven furlongs at the track in September, the David Ward-owned filly was given a spin over a similar distance behind lead horse Queen’s Reign.
Although keen through the opening exchanges of the exercise, The Prettiest Star soon settled down in the hands of Kieran Shoemark, before forging on clear late on to finish on top of the workout.
Walker said: “That was very good as she has worked to a good level there with Queen’s Reign, who is a solid yardstick and a consistent filly at Listed level.
“She has had a nice blow, which is exactly what she needed. She has not had much of a blow at home as she has been going through the motions a bit.
“It is her second away day and hopefully that will put her spot on for a couple of weeks time.
Although The Prettiest Star lacks the experience of some of those she will take on in the Group One prize on May 3rd, the Lambourn handler is confident his decision to give her a racecourse gallop opposed to an outing in a recognised trial will be vindicated.
He added: “She has only had two runs and we ummed and arred for a while whether to give her a run in a trial.
“We just felt the proximity of the trials to the 1000 Guineas is quite tricky to sort of know what to do in between, whereas this is very controlled and we know how much work she has done.
“I think it is probably slightly easier to prep her for the big day without the trial, and ultimately that is why we decided to run her without a trial.
And while there are question marks as to whether The Prettiest Star will see out the mile in the £525,000 test Walker is optimistic she will get the new trip.
Walker said: “There is plenty of speed in the family and she is by Starman, who is very quick, but she is a Starman out of a Montjeu mare, and the way she hit the line in the Rockfel would suggest she should stay the mile. I think the key is going to be relaxing.
“She was very good at Kempton Park last time, but she was a bit fresh today over the first couple of furlongs, but hopefully that will blow the cobwebs away.
“It has been a worthwhile exercise. She has stepped forward from Kempton Park, and on grass that would have been harder work than bouncing off the polytrack.”
Johnston to unleash two in 1000 Guineas
Charlie Johnston appears set to be double handed in the 1000 Guineas after giving last year’s bet365 Fillies’ Mile runner-up Venetian Lace the green light to contest the race.
The daughter of Masar will join stablemate Timeforshowcasing, winner of the Listed BetMGM Burradon Stakes at Newcastle on her return, in the race after pleasing the Middleham handler in her own racecourse gallop alongside stablemates Jennifer Jane and Amora Queen.
Johnston said: “She actually worked with Timeforshowcasing a week before she won at Newcastle, hence why I was confident she would do that there, but it made us wonder if this filly had the speed for a 1000 Guineas or whether we should work back from the Oaks.
“We came here to figure that out a bit and Jason (Hart) was very happy with her. Even though my gut feeling is she is more likely to win an Oaks than a 1000 Guineas, the 1000 Guineas is still the best trial for the Oaks so she will come here then go for the Oaks.
“She has been in Listed or Group company since her maiden win at Chelmsford, and bar the May Hill where the ground was too loose for her, she was bang there in every two-year-old stakes race last year.
"She won’t have the sexy profile some have, but as she showed her in October she is up to serving it to the best of them.
“We have got a bit of ground to make up with the winner, but one thing that will help her is that she is very straightforward and that she has a great attitude. She knows the track well and she will stay every yard of it and more.”
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