Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes
Group 3, Newmarket 15:35
£80,000 guaranteed,
3yo fillies only,
7f, Class 1   
Wednesday 17th April 2024

QuinnBet

1 Pretty Crystal 18/1
2 Dance Sequence 10/11F
3 Kathmandu 40/1
10 ran NR: Queen Of Zafeen Distances: nk, 2l, 1¾l
Time: 1m 22.90s (fast by 0.30s)

Pretty Crystal caused an 18-1 shock by denying the hot favourite Dance Sequence.

Viewed as the first 1000 Guineas trial of the spring, Charlie Appleby’s previously unbeaten Dance Sequence was the 10-11 favourite to enhance her Classic claims.

During the race, William Buick on the Godolphin filly faced a brief shortage of room, prompting Oisin Orr on Pretty Crystal to make a decisive move in pursuit of Brian Meehan’s Kathmandu, who had boldly taken the lead.

As Kathmandu’s stride shortened, Richard Fahey’s Pretty Crystal emerged as the likely winner. However, Dance Sequence, once clear of any obstacles, began to gain ground. 

Despite the favourite rolling around on the rising ground, Pretty Crystal managed to secure victory by a neck. Dance Sequence’s defeat pushed her odds out to 6-1 for the 1000 Guineas back on the Rowley Mile on May 5.

Fahey said: “I’m just delighted because she had some tough tasks last year and it’s nice to get one. She’s been placed a few times, but I kept saying she was a black-type filly and it’s the first time she’s won one so it’s grand.

“It was a real career-best, the favourite looked a good filly and she battled away. It was a good, hardy, tough performance and you would have to be really pleased with her.

“She had to step up and she has done, she stuck her head down and kept going and we’re delighted. We were expecting a decent run and I thought we definitely had an each-way chance.

“We haven’t put her in the 1000 Guineas and when she stepped into Pattern company last year she was found wanting a little bit. We could supplement her, but we will speak to the team and work our way from there.

“It’s been a lucky race for us and I think it’s something like the third time we have won it now. It’s quite a prestigious race and to get black-type in a race like that is great. We are little bit shocked that we beat the Godolphin filly.”

Orr said: “I was delighted and things went a lot smoother today as a few times I’ve been unlucky on her.

“I got a lovely run and she is tough, she hit the line strong and was great.

“She had good form as a two-year-old, but I think she’s a lot stronger and she’ll be right up there with the good fillies we have and it’s good to get her head in front.”

Philip Robinson, assistant racing manager for owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: “I couldn’t understand how she was such a big price – I thought we would be single figures.

“I don’t think she’s in the Guineas, but we might have to put her in! We have got to find out what we have to do now, but why not (have a go). Dubawis, they never stop improving I think and as they get older they get better. Big heart, tries, it’s what you need.”

Appleby said of Dance Sequence “Without winning, we are delighted with the run and that is very much what the trials are there for.

“I spoke to William and said we are going to have to ride her a bit closer to the pace because the twice she ran last year she just got through the line and was learning on the job. Today there were pacier fillies in there and I thought he might just have to ask her a bit more to get to them and I think we saw all of that develop throughout the race.

“Even going to the line, William thought he had won and she ducks out towards the rail so it’s just all about learning and I think you will see a different filly in two and a half weeks’ time. That extra furlong will suit and just the experience of this itself.

“The Guineas is two and a half weeks away so needless to say we hope there is a little bit more there, hopefully.”

SureWIn

Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes
(Fillies' Group 3)
£80,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 7f, Class 1
10 ran
Going: Good

POS. (DRAW) DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1 (3)    Pretty Crystal 3 9-2 Richard Fahey Oisin Orr 18/1
2 (8) nk Dance Sequence 3 9-2 Charlie Appleby William Buick 10/11F
3 (2) 2 Kathmandu 3 9-2 Brian Meehan Sean Levey 40/1
4 (4) 1¾ True Cyan 3 9-2 Roger Varian James Doyle 13/2
5 (5) ½ Heritage House 3 9-2 James Fanshawe Callum Shepherd 150/1
6 (6) hd Born To Rock 3 9-2 Jane Chapple-Hyam Laura Pearson 66/1
7 (7) ¾ Matrika 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore 9/4
8 (10) ½ Spiritual 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Kieran Shoemark 18/1
9 (11) nk Gushing Gold 3 9-2 Andrew Balding David Probert 33/1
10 (1) ½ Lexington Belle 3 9-2 Alice Haynes Kieran O'Neill 50/1
NR 9 (9) Queen Of Zafeen 3 9-2 Richard Hughes NON RUNNER

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