Guineas Glory For Magna Grecia

[Wandering Eyes]

   Owned in partnership by Derrick Smith, Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier and Flaxman Stables, Magna Grecia (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) took full advantage of a crucial pace bias to bring up a remarkable 10th success in Newmarket’s G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas on Saturday. Also bringing about a third consecutive Guineas for his stable for the first time since the 1830s, the G1 Futurity Trophy winner was blessed as a 19-runner Classic became effectively a three-runner affair passing halfway courtesy of the tempo set on the rail by Silvestre de Sousa on Shine So Bright (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Passing the two-furlong pole, it was clear that the trio racing towards the stand’s side had it between them and as Donnacha O’Brien sent the 11-2 second favourite past the leader soon after he had only the Hannon runner King of Change (GB) (Farhh {GB}) to concern him. Forging clear up the rising ground, Magna Grecia had 2 1/2 lengths to spare over that 66-1 shot, with the group racing up the middle led ultimately by Skardu (GB) (Shamardal), 1 3/4 lengths further back. The 9-4 favourite Ten Sovereigns (Ire) (No Nay Never), who was also in that group, faded to fifth late. “Coming here, I was in two minds about where to go but I knew Silvestre’s had a good bit of pace and in this lad is uncomplicated so I followed him and it worked out well,” Donnacha commented after steering his second Guineas winner after Saxon Warrior (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) 12 months ago. “I got a lovely tow into the race and he picked up well and saw it out well. I was always very comfortable, the horse was travelling well and I was keeping my eye to my right to watch the others but I never felt I had too much ground to make up. He took me there and I even got there a bit early again. I seem to be making a habit of kicking too early in a Guineas!” Aidan O’Brien revealed that there would be no Derby challenge from the winner. “He’s been a solid horse all the time and although everyone was of the opinion last year he would stay further John [Magnier] said all winter that he would be a real miler,” he explained. I knew the lads had it in their heads to start here and go to The Curragh before [Royal] Ascot and we knew that we were going to stretch the other horse to get a mile. It depended on where the pace was and Donnacha was more forward than Ryan, who had to wait to be sucked into the race. He’ll probably drop back to six.”

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
QIPCO 2000 GUINEAS S.-G1, £523,750, Newmarket, 5-4, 3yo, 8fT, 1:36.84, gd.
1–MAGNA GRECIA (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Invincible Spirit (Ire)
1st Dam: Cabaret (Ire) (GSW-Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Witch of Fife, by Lear Fan
3rd Dam: Fife (Ire), by Lomond
(340,000gns Wlg ’16 TATFOA). O-Derrick Smith, Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor & Flaxman Stables; B-Woodnook Farm Pty Ltd (IRE); T-Aidan O’Brien; J-Donnacha O’Brien. £297,019. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $588,803. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–King of Change (GB), 126, c, 3, Farhh (GB)–Salacia (Ire), by Echo of Light (GB). O-Ali Abdulla Saeed; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Limited (GB); T-Richard Hannon. £112,606.
3–Skardu (GB), 126, c, 3, Shamardal–Diala (Ire), by Iffraaj (GB). O-Abdulla Al Khalifa; B-Sheikh Abdulla Bin Isa Al Khalifa (GB); T-William Haggas. £56,356.
Margins: 2HF, 1 3/4, HD. Odds: 5.50, 66.00, 8.00.
Also Ran: Madhmoon (Ire), Ten Sovereigns (Ire), Shine So Bright (GB), Kick On (GB), Urban Icon (GB), Great Scot (GB), Momkin (Ire), Azano (GB), Dark Vision (Ire), Royal Marine (Ire), Set Piece (GB), Advertise (GB), Al Hilalee (GB), Sporting Chance (GB), Emaraaty Ana (GB), Name The Wind (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.

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