Hermosa seeks famous hat-trick in Coronation Stakes

Hermosa and Wayne Lordan after the Qipco 1000 Guineas. Pic Steven Cargill/Racingfotos.com

Hermosa seeks to complete a famous Group 1 treble by landing the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot on Friday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained filly sets a high standard after winning the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and then the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh, in the latter race at the main expense of Pretty Pollyanna.

She seeks to emulate Winter, also trained by the master of Ballydoyle, who won both Guineas en route to landing the Coronation Stakes in 2017. O’Brien is also represented by Just Wonderful, behind Hermosa at Newmarket and the Curragh this year, plus Happen, a Group 3 winner at the Curragh on her latest start.

The unbeaten Castle Lady won the French 1000 Guineas on her latest start, when Watch Me was back in sixth, while Main Edition won the German equivalent at Dusseldorf. The latter was also successful at Royal Ascot 12 months ago, when landing the Albany Stakes.

Mark Johnston, the trainer of Main Edition, said: “It’s a huge jump from her German Guineas form to the Coronation but this is a horse who on last year’s form was aimed at the English Guineas.

“We didn’t feel she was in great form for the Nell Gwyn [when seventh] so we switched the plan, went to Germany and got a Group 2 and a Classic in the bag. Now we are back on track shooting at the big one. She’s got an awful lot to find but it’s nice to have that win under our belt and, of course, she won at the meeting last year.”

Sir Michael Stoute seeks a record-equalling fifth win in the Coronation and relies on the exciting Jubiloso, unraced as a two-year-old but a taking winner at Chelmsford and Newbury this campaign.

Mot Juste chased home Qabala, her stablemate, in the Nell Gwyn before finishing down the field in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.

Roger Varian, her trainer, said: “We were disappointed with her Guineas run. She’s a filly that likes it on the quick side, so I’d like to see it dry. She’s capable of running a big race. I think the Nell Gwyn form stood up in the English Guineas but for whatever reason she did not reproduce that in the Guineas.

“She kind of got knocked sideways but she probably wasn’t going to hit the frame at the time. She could have a good summer, hopefully starting back on Friday.”

Twist ‘N’ Shake, runner-up in a Listed race at York last time, completes the line-up.