Tanaza one to keep in mind for Classic glory

Ryan Moore rides Legatissimo (right) to victory over Lucida in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas last summer. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

With a little under six weeks to go until the QIPCO 1000 Guineas – the second race of the QIPCO British Champions Series – we run through six of the market principals. 

MINDING

Form: 21211-

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Odds: 3/1

Relished the combination of a mile and easy going when surging clear in the group one Dubai Fillies’ Mile over course and distance on her final start last year, a performance which led to her being crowned Europe’s champion two-year-old filly. She had previously worn down Ballydoyle, her stablemate, close home on a similar surface in the Moyglare Stud Stakes. A previous defeat at the hands of Ballydoyle, on faster going, raises a question as to whether she needs some give underfoot to be seen at her best, although that reverse could be attributed to immaturity.

LUMIERE

Form: 121-

Trainer: Mark Johnston

Odds: 7/1

Grey created a stir when routing her rivals in a maiden at the July meeting and dug deep to land the group one Connolly Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes back at Headquarters in late September from solid yardsticks in Illuminate, Besharah and Alice Springs (about a length covered the quartet). In between, she found Besharah too strong on softish going in the Pinsent Masons Lowther Stakes. Open to further progress and, as a half-sister to a 1m4f winner, is entitled to stay farther than 6f, for all that pace looked her principal weapon last year.

BALLYDOYLE

Form: 421121-

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Odds: 8/1

Sister of Misty For Me, eleventh in the 1,000 Guineas of 2011 before winning the Irish equivalent, and indicated she was going to make her mark at the highest level when narrowly failing to peg back Suits You in the Chesham at Royal Ascot. Duly went one better next time on Newmarket’s July Course before beating Minding two lengths in pattern company at the Curragh (7f) in August. Worn down by the same rival in the Moyglare over the same course and distance next time (softer going) and signed off her season with victory in the group one Prix Marcel Boussac back on faster ground at Longchamp. Ridden up with the pace.

ALICE SPRINGS

Form: 1253412-

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Odds: 20/1

Pedigree suggests middle-distances will bring out the best in her (sister of smart 1m4f performer Criteria), so a couple of her narrow defeat last year need marking up. Finished on the heels of Minding and Ballydoyle in the Moyglare Stakes (considerately handled in a first-time hood, which was subsequently discarded) and, not surprisingly, was doing her best work late on when a close fourth in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Easily won a valuable sales’ race back at Newmarket and looked unlucky not to win at the Breeders’ Cup on her final outing. Deserves to take her place and, wherever she finishes, keep her in mind for the Oaks.

TANAZA

Form: 114-

Trainer: Dermot Weld

Odds: 33/1

Stamina-laden pedigree but did not look short of pace when, starting favourite, she beat Minding two lengths at Leopardstown (7f) in June, when they made their respective debuts. Followed that up with a defeat of two more solid yardsticks – Alice Springs and Turret Rocks – in a group three at the Curragh (7f) and was sent off at 7-2 for the Moyglare but she disappointed on the softer ground, finishing behind Minding and Alice Springs in fourth.  Forgive her that effort and she has to enter calculations.

TURRET ROCKS

Form: 13412-

Trainer: Jim Bolger

Odds: 33/1

Progressive last term, stamina looking her forte when landing the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster in September. Upped her game further when chasing home Ballydoyle at Longchamp next time and that puts her in the picture, for all that she might do even better when going up in distance.