Does it come as any surprise that Irish powerhouse trainer Aidan O’Brien has a strong hand for today’s Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket? Well, no.
Start the O’Brien list with Gustav Klimt, a Galileo colt who won his seasonal debut in a Guineas trial last month at Leopardstown. He’s the early favorite for the Guineas and could be as good as any.
Aidan O’Brien (photo: Coolmore)
But wait. There’s more.
Saxon Warrior was 3-for-3 last season and makes his 2018 debut. He’s by the dominant Japanese sire Deep Impact out of the Galileo mare Maybe, who was a Group 1 winner as a 2-year-old. Then there’s long shot Murillo, who is by Scat Daddy out of a Rahy mare.
Don’t hand the trophy to O’Brien quite yet, though.
William Buick is back from Hong Kong to ride Masar for Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby and that New Approach colt was a Group 2 winner in his last start, just 16 days out from a romping win in the bet365 Craven Stakes.
William Buick
Mark Johnston saddles Elarqam, a Frankel colt owned by Sheik Hamdan who was 2-for-2 as a juvenile. Sir Michael Stoute sends out Expert Eye, a Juddmonte Farms homebred by Acclamation.
Roaring Lion is a Kitten’s Joy colt handled by John Gosden for Qatar Racing.
And for those fancying a longer chance, Frankie Dettori will get a leg up on James Garfield, who defeated Expert Eye in their last meeting two weeks ago at Newbury.
On Sunday, the 3-year-old fillies chase the Qipco 1000 Guineas.
The heavy favorite is Happily, another from O’Brien’s Ballydoyle star machine. She makes her first appearance since finishing last of 14 in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf with a no-chance trip. Before that, she won Group 1 events in Ireland and France.
UPI – Robert Kieckhefer
