Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is the star name among 10 fillies in contention for Saturday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood following the confirmation stage. Winner of the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the G1 Oaks at Epsom, Aidan O'Brien's filly tackled her elders for the first time in last month's G1 Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh and claimed the fifth Group 1 victory of her career in brilliant fashion.
O'Brien could also call upon G1 Falmouth Stakes heroine Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was runner-up to Minding on the Rowley Mile, but disappointed on her latest appearance in the GI Belmont Oaks Invitational S. at Belmont Park across the pond in June.
Hugo Palmer has left in G2 German 1000 Guineas winner Hawksmoor (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}). The 3-year-old was last seen finishing a close third in the G2 Kilboy Estate S. at The Curragh.
Palmer said, “We've left her in and the plan is to look at the race later in the week. She came back from Ireland well and she's in good form, so we'll see.”
Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}) is looking to become the eighth Nassau S. heroine for Sir Michael Stoute, who will then equal the record set by the late Sir Henry Cecil. The Cheveley Park Stud colorbearer was fourth in the G2 Ribblesdale S. at Royal Ascot.
“The plan is to run Queen's Trust in the Qatar Nassau S.,” said Chris Richardson, racing manager for Cheveley Park Stud. “She is an improving filly and we feel that she has been a bit unlucky so far. Sir Michael is adamant that she should be competing at the top level and, whilst I appreciate Minding might be an impossible filly to beat, if you are not in, you cannot win.”
David Simcock has a couple of bullets to fire in listed winner Bateel (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and course scorer Carnachy (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Godolphin's Beautiful Romance (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), potential French challenger Jemayel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), and Swiss Range (GB) (Zamindar), from John Gosden's yard, complete the list.
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