Mike Cattermole previews the QIPCO 1000 Guineas
It's Skitter Skatter for Mike Cattermole in Sunday's QIPCO 1000 Guineas - check out his big-race preview.
JOHN OXX, the legendary trainer of Sea The Stars who has recently teamed up with Paddy Prendergast, can get his new association off to the perfect start by landing the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas with Skitter Skatter.
Saturday’s 2,000 Guineas was a touch unsatisfactory with the three horses on the stands’ side seemingly advantaged. That said, maybe Magna Grecia would have won it anyway. However, on that evidence, you’d much rather be drawn high than low and Skitter Skatter, who arguably brings the best form to the table, will emerge from stall 11.
Trained by Prendergast last season, she did nothing but improve and landed her first pattern race in the Group Three Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown in July, before stepping up to land the Group Two Debutante Stakes at the Curragh in August when Lady Kaya, Iridessa and Hermosa were all behind her.
The daughter of Scat Daddy saved the best for last in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes over seven furlongs in September. For most of that race, Lady Kaya looked to be travelling much the best, but Skitter Skatter got up a head of steam and found plenty to keep going and drew clear to beat Sheila Lavery’s filly by two lengths.
On that evidence, going up to a mile for the first time is only going to suit Ronan Whelan’s mount and that is backed up by her pedigree as her dam won over a mile and a quarter. She seems to act on any going.
The fillies that she has beaten have all done their bit to boost the form.
The Debutante fourth, fifth and sixth – Lady Kaya, Iridessa, trained by Joseph O’Brien, and Hermosa, trained by his father Aidan have all done good things since. Indeed, the last two named went on to finish first and second in the Group One Fillies’ Mile.
Meanwhile, Lady Kaya, twice behind the selection last season, looked in great shape on her reappearance when a comfortable winner of the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial. That was on soft ground, however, and although the time was quicker than the colts, you do wonder whether her smooth travelling style can last out over a mile.
Whereas, Iridessa who was behind her again there in third, will appreciate the step back up to a mile and beyond as she threatens to shape into an Oaks filly.
Meanwhile, back in seventh place in the Moyglare was Just Wonderful who is talented but remains difficult to weigh up as her form was a bit in and out last term.
However, there was a lot to like about her classy win in the Group Two Rockfel Stakes over seven furlongs here last September (good to firm) and Ryan Moore (who was impressed) has chosen her from the four Ballydoyle challengers. She is also very well drawn in 15.
However, Dandhu, who was beaten just under two lengths behind the idling winner, didn’t get the best of passages that day and may not be that far behind her.
David Elsworth’s filly showed a good attitude to win the Fred Darling in a blanket finish (Iconic Choice and Star Terms close up in second and fourth) at Newbury over seven and gives the impression that a mile will suit. She is drawn next to Just Wonderful.
Of Aidan O’Brien’s other two fillies, Fairyland enjoyed a good campaign at two, topped off with wins in the Lowther Stakes and Cheveley Park here at Newmarket - and both on fast ground. A mile looks just about within reach for this daughter of Kodiac and Frankie is an interesting booking.
Meanwhile, Fleeting is arguably going to come into her own over middle distances and a prominent showing here will see her price drop for the Oaks next month, as indeed it could for the Hannon-trained Star Terms.
This just leaves us with the one filly who could improve past all of them and that is the favourite, Qabala, another daughter of Scat Daddy, trained by Roger Varian and the only unbeaten one in the line-up.
She has won both her starts on good to firm over seven furlongs here on the Rowley Mile, her maiden last September and then the Nell Gwynn last month.
There was so much to like about that trial in which, I suspect, she would have learned plenty. Perhaps due to inexperience, Qabala was being asked to pick up just after halfway but the response was very pleasing and the turn of foot even more so. She he duly outclassed her stablemate Mot Juste, Angel’s Hideaway and Look Around.
She could be very good and presents a great opportunity for young rider David Egan with stable jockey Andrea Atzeni suspended. Whether her draw in six is a hindrance, remains to be seen.
So, in conclusion, I think the two daughters of Scat Daddy will fight it out with the solid Skitter Skatter given a narrow vote over the exciting Qabala.
1. SKITTER SKATTER, 2. Qabala, 3. Just Wonderful, 4. Dandhu
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