The participation of Denford Stud's Illuminate (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) in the G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas Sunday hinges on the weather, according to trainer Richard Hannon, who told At The Races the dual group winner would only participate in the Classic if the rain goes away. Hannon noted Illuminate, the winner of last year's G3 Albany S. at Royal Ascot and the G2 Duchess Of Cambridge S. and second in the G1 Cheveley Park S., last worked in company with Group 1 winner Toormore (Ire) (Arakan {Ire}), who won last week's G2 bet365 Mile. Illuminate has not run since finishing sixth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf Oct. 30.
“She did a piece of work with Toormore about a week ago and she worked fine,” Hannon told At The Races. “But with the rain around, it is not looking ideal. We won't be able to run her and we'll have to wait for Ireland [the Irish 1000 Guineas May 22]. It's a weather watch, really.”
Hannon said Illuminate could get the services of jockey Frankie Dettori is she starts in the Newmarket Guineas.
“Frankie might be available to ride her but he might not, so it's a bit up in the air,” the trainer said. “We've got some other avenues but it's all on the weather. If I could have anything, I'd rather have the weather–you can get a jockey for a good filly, no problem.”
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