Passing The Baton

After the G3 Nell Gwyn S. success of her stablemate Daban (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) on Wednesday, it is up to Dabyah (Ire) (Sepoy {Aus}) to keep up the momentum for the John Gosden yard in Saturday's G3 Fred Darling S. at Newbury. Having won by nine lengths in a conditions event over this course and distance in September, Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah's bay was only beaten a length when third in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly the following month. “She's working very well, as was the filly who won the Nell Gwyn on Wednesday,” commented the owner's racing manager Bruce Raymond. “We are hoping she can emulate that filly. There's no reason why she can't. She has got very classy form in France and she gets the trip well, so we'll see.”

As usual, this G1 1000 Guineas trial features a speedy star of the previous season attempting to stretch out and this time it is Queen Kindly (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who has stamina to prove. The decisive winner of the six-furlong G2 Lowther S. at York in August, Jaber Abdullah's homebred was fourth in the G1 Cheveley Park S. over that trip at Newmarket in September. “She's working very well and has done exceptionally well through the winter,” commented Raymond, who is also racing manager for her owner-breeder. “We are very happy with the way she has been going and obviously the jury is out whether she gets the trip or not. She'll have a big chance if she stays, as she's classy.”

Aidan O'Brien has been represented in all the main Guineas trials so far and has chosen Rain Goddess (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) to test the water here. She has the benefit of a race outing, having been seventh in the G3 Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial over this distance on Apr. 8. Denford Stud's Promising (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) is one of only two in the line-up without a win to her name, but she was second in the G3 Prestige S. at Goodwood when last seen in August so at least has the calibre to make an impact. “She's probably one of the highest-rated maidens in training and has run well on all three occasions last season, notably when a very unlucky second at Goodwood and we're really hoping for a very good run here,” trainer Richard Hannon said. “She's been away to Everleigh and also worked nicely at Kempton the other day, so she shouldn't be lacking for much fitness. She moves much better when she's going quicker and Pat Dobbs rides her for the first time, but he's sat on her plenty of times at home and she should run a very nice race.”