Qabala Among 16 in 1000 Guineas

[Wandering Eyes]

Qabala (Scat Daddy), impressive winner of the G3 Nell Gwyn S., is among 16 confirmations for Sunday’s G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. Her trainer Roger Varian has also left in Mot Juste (Distorted Humor), who was runner-up to her stablemate in the Group 3 contest over seven furlongs at Newmarket’s Craven meeting.

Aidan O’Brien has four possibles, headed by G2 Rockfel S. scorer and ‘TDN Rising Star’ Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}), as Ireland’s champion trainer bids to register his fifth win in the race. Fellow ‘Rising Star’ Fairyland (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), Fleeting (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) complete the Ballydoyle team.

“Everything has gone well with Just Wonderful. It’s all systems go so far,” he said.

O’Brien’s son, Joseph, has a strong candidate himself in Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}), winner of the G1 Fillies’ Mile in the autumn and third on her reappearance at Leopardstown.

“She’s in good shape and we will see what happens,” he said. “It’s nice to go there with what we think is a live chance. She is working well and she had a nice run on her first run of the year. Hopefully we get a nice draw. We are looking forward to it.”

Sheila Lavery’s Lady Kaya (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), who had Iridessa back in third when taking the Leopardstown G3 1000 Guineas Trial, also stands her ground. The other Irish contender is Skitter Scatter (Scat Daddy), now with John Oxx after a superb juvenile campaign for Patrick Prendergast that culminated in victory over Lady Kaya in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. at The Curragh. Richard Hannon, who struck with 66-1 outsider Billesdon Brook (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}) last year, is represented by Star Terms (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

Completing the list are Angel’s Hideaway (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), Antonia De Vega (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), Dandhu (GB) (Dandy Man {Ire}), Garrel Glen (GB) (Mount Nelson {GB}), Iconic Choice (GB) (Sixties Icon {GB) and Look Around (GB) (Kingman {GB}).

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