There are many who believe that Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) could give a motley crew of colts a lesson in the upcoming G1 Investec Derby, but that eventuality will probably come later in the season as Aidan O'Brien keeps her for beating up her own sex for now. Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at The Curragh is hers for the taking if she is in anywhere near the form she was in during the G1 Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket three weeks ago, with only that Classic's sixth and ninth, Turret Rocks (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Jet Setting (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), respectively, being lined up for another potential thrashing. Last year's G1 Moyglare Stud S. win over seven furlongs here was just the introduction to her considerable ability, and while her performance in the G1 Dubai Fillies' Mile at Newmarket offered more of an insight into her raw material in October, it was only in the Guineas that she showed how easy it is for her to outclass smart peers. Interestingly, it was her re-opposing compatriots Jet Setting and Turret Rocks who put it up to her most from the front, and they may have to adopt more patient tactics in what could be a race for second. “She was always very smart. Ryan [Moore] was always very complimentary about her and Ryan is a man of few words,” Aidan O'Brien said. “He was very impressed with her in the Fillies' Mile and I don't think he was any less impressed when she won the Guineas. She's a Galileo, but has plenty of speed.”
Turret Rocks had shown a high level of form as a juvenile when winning Doncaster's G2 May Hill S. in September, and when second to Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on Arc day, and is entitled to improve for her return effort at Newmarket. Aside from Ballydoyle in the G2 Debutante S., the only filly to have eclipsed Minding is His Highness The Aga Khan's Tanaza (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), who dealt her a 2 1/2-length beating on their debuts over seven furlongs at Leopardstown in June prior to her defeat of Alice Springs (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Turret Rocks in the G3 Silver Flash S. over the same course and distance the following month. Fourth behind the Rosegreen tricast Minding, Ballydoyle and Alice Springs in the Moyglare, the homebred has come in for typically patient handling by Dermot Weld and is certain to improve with time and experience. Jockey Pat Smullen said, “She's just taken time to come to hand, but she's in good form now. She actually beat Minding in her maiden at Leopardstown, so her form is pretty solid. We'd obviously have liked to have had a run, but we're happy with her at home and she's a lively outsider.”
First and second and separated by a head in a seven-furlong maiden at Leopardstown in September, Godolphin's Anamba (GB) (Shamardal) and Minding's stablemate Coolmore (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) re-opposed and the tables were turned in the G3 C L & M F Weld Park S. at that distance here later that month, where Susan Magnier's importantly-titled homebred was a half-length better. Anamba's trainer Mick Halford is on a fact-finding mission here. “We had a very wet spring and Anamba took a bit of time to come to hand, but I am pleased with her now and she looks to be in good form,” he commented. “I would love the ground to stay good–the better the ground, the better she is–so I would be hoping that we might miss some of the showers that are forecast. This run will tell us where to go with her for the rest of the season.”
From Britain are Ashadihan (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) and Czabo (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB}), with the latter boasting the more solid form having won a 3-year-old-dominated renewal of the seven-furlong G3 Chartwell Fillies' S. at Lingfield May 7.
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