Lumiere and Illuminate can light up ultra-competitive renewal of 1000 Guineas
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | April 30, 2016
Middleham trainer Mark Johnston has a fascinating contender for the fillies’ Classic, the 1000 Guineas, in Lumiere at Newmarket on Sunday (15:40).
This grey has won both of her career starts at the venue, including a six-length success on her debut last season, which is a massive margin of victory in flat sprints.
Although beaten at handler Johnston’s local track, York, in between those successes when runner-up to Besharah in the Lowther Stakes during the Ebor Festival, Lumiere has been aimed at the 1000 Guineas after an exciting and eye-catching maiden campaign.
Lumiere can do the Minding
Aidan O’Brien entry Minding is a firm favourite for this Classic crown – having won the Fillies’ Mile over course and distance in style last term, but that is her only run outside of Ireland.
Meeting Lumiere, a front-runner who made virtually all in her two Newmarket victories to date, means Minding must make an impression on her rival, which is something she hasn’t always done when having contests taken to her on home soil.
That raises sufficient doubt about Minding to make Lumiere well worth a wager to give the favourite a run for her money.
Ballydoyle also part of O’Brien arsenal
O’Brien has more than one iron in the fire when it comes to the 1000 Guineas, however, and Ballydoyle carries a credible threat too.
Both she and Minding are daughters of Galileo, and these half-sisters did a one-two for their handler in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh last September.
Runner-up Ballydoyle confirmed the form of that race by coming out and subsequently winning a Fillies’ Group 1 contest at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe meeting at Longchamp under Ryan Moore, who has switched mounts to Minding in the 1000 Guineas.
Illuminate not Nathra an each-way punt
Frankie Dettori ride Nathra will be popular with punters, but couldn’t live with the pace of Minding in the closing stages of the Fillies’ Mile alluded to above around course and distance. She looks one to avoid, despite her high-profile jockey, then.
If it’s an each-way shout you’re after, then a terrific price is available on Richard Hannon’s Illuminate. This appeals if punters are prepared to forgive her Breeders’ Cup performance.
Finishing a disappointing sixth in the Juvenile Fillies Turf over the 1000 Guineas trip, you need to remember that race is held across the Atlantic in Kentucky at Keeneland.
When competing in Britain, however, Illuminate has always made the frame from her four runs. A win over the aforementioned Besharah and second to Lumiere, both at Newmarket, suggest she can outrun her odds and place.
Related
You’ll find more betting tips and race previews on our horse racing section.
Coral’s top tip: Lumiere can outshine Minding to grab 1000 Guineas glory and give Johnston a second success in this Classic contest. Illuminate can also go well at tasty odds.
