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4 Mar 2019

New Kids On The Champions Series Block: Just Wonderful

Just Wonderful leaves her rivals trailing in the Rockfel Stakes. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Horse: JUST WONDERFUL

Form: 1031714. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Just Wonderful’s form figures reflect that it was not all plain sailing for her last year but she begins 2019 as a leading contender for the QIPCO 1000 Guineas – contesting favouritism at 10/1 with most bookmakers.

The daughter of Dansili owes her a prominent place in the market to a decisive success in the Group 2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket in late September.

It possibly was not the strongest of renewals but Just Wonderful impressed with the way she went about her business under Ryan Moore and, if nothing else, confirmed her liking for the Rowley Mile course, which will be a tick in her box should she line-up in the fillies’ Classic back at Headquarters on May 5.


Earlier in the month, Just Wonderful had shown a smart turn of foot to lead home an Aidan O’Brien 1-2-3 in a Group 3 contest over a mile at the Curragh.

She had also made a taking debut at the same track, when scoring over 6f in May.

The mix of speed and stamina that the bay filly displayed is encouraging for her prospects over the months ahead and you can make excuses for a couple of defeats in high-profile contests.

Little went right for her when she went off 2/1 favourite for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot (plus her stable was a bit in/out at the time) and in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf, at Santa Anita in November, her chance was compromised by a slow start and track position.

Her three wins were gained on a range of ground, suggesting she is flexible on that score.

A mile clearly poses her no problem and there is stamina in her pedigree, with her dam being a sister of smart 1m4f performer Bracelet, who won the Ribblesdale Stakes in 2014.

Just Wonderful’s Investec Oaks odds vary between 14/1 and 20/1. Headline writers will be wishing her well.

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