Jim Crowley: ‘Santa Barbara could easily be the 1000 Guineas star.’

Coral ambassador Jim Crowley previews his rides on 1000 Guineas Day at Newmarket

Our man Jim Crowley looks ahead to his two rides rides on Sunday and gives us his thoughts on the 1000 Guineas.

Jim rides Lavender’s Blue in the 15:00 at Newmarket

Lavender’s Blue is a lovely mare, and one I really like.  She’s run in plenty of top races, and comes here off the back of a win at Kempton.

Although this is a Group 2, it’s perhaps not the strongest. Queen Power looks the one to beat, but Lavender’s Blue has won at Newmarket before, she likes fast ground, and Amanda’s [Perrett] horses are flying, so I’d be hopeful of a good run from her.

Jim gives us his thoughts on the Qipco 1000 Guineas at 15:40

I’ve not got a ride in the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, but Santa Barbara has been all the rage in recent weeks, and will start a hot favourite, despite only being a maiden winner.

Alcohol Free is second favourite but I’m not convinced she will see out a strongly run mile. Connections of the favourite will know how good Mother Earth is, and I’m not sure how strong the Nell Gwyn form is [Sacred and Saffron Beach], so the unexposed Santa Barbara could easily be the star in this field if there is one.

Jim rides Tawleed in the 17:20 at Newmarket

Tawleed finished second in the good maiden [Convivial] at last summer’s Ebor meeting, and then followed up with victory at Leicester.

He was gelded after that, and although he was beaten at Kempton first time up this season, he’s a horse I liked a lot last year, and I’m sure he’ll improve for that Kempton run.

Jim

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