1000 Guineas double beckons for Minding
Published:
David Metcalf | May 21, 2016
Minding has the Irish 1000 Guineas at her mercy
Minding is long odds-on to complete a Classic double in the Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh on Sunday (13:55). She looks a cut above her rivals and impossible to oppose.
This daughter of Galileo led home a one-two-three for trainer Aidan O’Brien in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago, with Ballydoyle and Alice Springs filling out the places.
Ballydoyle was expected to be the the stable’s number one hope for the this but, after an unsatisfactory blood test ruled her out, connections have decided to let Minding take her chance en route to the Investec Oaks at Epsom.
The filly looked a potential superstar when winning three of her five starts as a juevnile, including two Group 1 contests, and confirmed that view in no uncertain fashion when winning at Newmarket in scintillating style.
Something very special
After pressing the leaders, Minding took up the running two from home and pulled readily clear in the hands of Ryan Moore to beat Ballydoyle with far more in hand than the winning margin of 3 1/2 lengths suggests.
It was performance right out of the top drawer, and Minding travelled strongly throughout and was always in total control.
Judged on the manner of that victory, Minding is something very special, and she is currently 4/7 with Coral for the Oaks.
Those cramped odds look fully justified, and Minding is expecting to win this with ease.
Now Or Never the forecast choice
Now Or Never impressed when scoring last time out and looks the one to chase home Minding.
The Michael O’Callgahan trained filly had some very useful form to her name as a juvenile, winning at the second time of asking before posting an excellent effort against the boys when a 1 1/4 length runner-up to Herald The Dawn in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.
Now Or Never then failed to fire when last of nine behind the brilliant Minding in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the same venue, but showed that run to be all wrong when chasing home Jet Setting in a Group 3 at Leopradstown on her return to action.
The three-year-old stuck to the task well to be beaten three lengths and finished 2 3/4 lengths in front of the third home Alice Springs, who has since gone on to finish a fine third to Minding in the English 1000 Guineas.
Impressive in Derrinstown
Now Or Never then seemed to appreciate the step up to 1m when running out the impressive winner of Group 3 Derrinstown Stud 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown.
The daughter of Bushranger was always travelling when in the hands of jockey Kieren Fallon and after being pushed into the lead a 1 1/2 furlongs out quickly asserted to win easing down by 1 3/4 lengths.
Although that form may not amount to much, the manner of the victory suggested Now Or Never had a big engine and she looks the type who may have even more to offer.
Related
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Coral’s top tip: Minding looks a worthy red-hot favourite to compelete a Classic double and is impossible to oppose. Now Or Never can chase her home for forecast backers.
