Cheveley Park Buys Into Guineas Hope

Cheveley Park Stud has bought into last year’s G3 Acomb S. winner Dutch Connection (GB) (Dutch Art {GB})), a 25-1 chance for the G1 2000 Guineas May 2, according to Racing Post. Cheveley Park, which stands Dutch Art, joins the colt’s breeder, Susan Roy, on the ownership line, and Charlie Hills trains. Dutch Connection was last seen finishing third behind Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 National S. at The Curragh in September, and he galloped on Newmarket’s Rowley Mile before racing yesterday under William Buick. 

“I am absolutely delighted with him,” Hills said after Dutch Connection pulled away from a stablemate by five lengths. “It was great to get William back on board, as he has a great relationship with the horse. He said that he gave him a really nice feeling, while he showed a good turn of foot, which was nice to see. I didn’t want him to come here and go through the motions; I wanted to give him a good blow up the hill.” 

Hills said his charge has progressed over the winter. 

“He has certainly lengthened and looks pretty imposing–whatever he did as a 2-year-old was a bonus,” Hills said. “I really think the Guineas will suit him, as they will go hard, while I see him as a mile-and-a-quarter horse in time. We have got an exciting couple of weeks ahead.” 

A short time later, Hills’s father, trainer Barry Hills, sent out Sheikh Hamdan’s G1 1000 Guineas hopeful Fadhayyil (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) for a seven furlong gallop under Paul Hanagan. 

“All I can say is that I’ve been very happy with her, as she has had a clear run all the way through the winter,” the elder Hills said. “We took her through the motions today and she quickened up well when coming down the hill.”