Raymi Coya Among 28 Hopefuls for the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas 23/04/08

Chelsea FC’s Peruvian striker Claudio Pizarro could have his first runner in an English Classic with Raymi Coya, who is among 28 fillies remaining in the £375,000 stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas, which takes place on Sunday, May 4, at the forfeit stage.

Raymi Coya, successful in the Group Three Finnforest Oh So Sharp Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket in October, has taken time to come to hand this spring, but trainer Marco Botti is hoping that a spell of warm weather will put the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas firmly on the filly’s agenda.

Botti revealed this morning: "Her owner would like to see her in the Guineas - it is a dream for him and he is so excited, but we will see how she is.

"He is thrilled with the filly but she is just taking a little longer to come to hand than we expected and there is no reason to push her. She needs to be 100 per cent for a race like the Guineas.

"It is still 50/50 as to whether she goes for the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas. She will work later this week and we will see how she is and consider the ground before committing her to the race.

"We want to keep an eye on the going - she won on good ground so I don’t think it would be ideal to run on too soft. If necessary, we could leave the Guineas and aim her for something else like the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

"She is well and has definitely improved condition-wise. She has started to move forward with a bit warmer weather and we will just wait and see what happens."

The John Gosden-trained Infallible leapt to the head of the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas betting market with an impressive triumph in the Group Three Leslie Harrison Memorial Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket last week - she is a 7/2 chance with sponsor Stan James.

Muthabara is another trial winner who remains on course for the first fillies’ Classic, having maintained her unbeaten record in the Dubai Duty Free Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury on Saturday, while Pascal Bary could run Natagora, who impressed when winning over seven furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte on April 14.

Aiden O`Brien had the answer to this year`s Rockfel Stakes, with the well bred Kitty Matcham (Johnny Murtagh nearside) just holding on from Missit and Darryl Holland (Newmarket 20-10-07)
© racing-images.co.uk

The Ballydoyle contingent includes 14/1 shot Kitty Matcham, winner of the Group Two seriousquitters.co.uk Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket in October, as well as Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial runner-up Halfway To Heaven, Savethisdanceforme and Psalm.

Other leading contenders remaining after the forfeit stage include the Jim Bolger-trained Group One winner Saoirse Abu, Spacious from the James Fanshawe yard, the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Cape Amber and Godolphin’s Laureldean Gale.

There is a supplementary entry stage for the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas as well on Monday, April 28, at a cost of £30,000.

Latest betting with Stan James for the stanjamesuk.com 1000 Guineas
7/2 Infallible, 4/1 Muthabara, 9/2 Natagora, 11/2 Spacious, 14/1 Kitty Matcham, Savethisdanceforme, 16/1 Laureldean Gale, Psalm, 20/1 Visit, Nahoodh 25/1 Lush Lashes, 33/1 bar - each-way one quarter 1,2,3 - non-runner no bet

Tickets are still available for both days at a 20 per cent discount from www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk