Turf Talk: Coronation Stakes favourite Hermosa hoping to head the fillies’ mile division

HERMOSA bids to cement her place at the head of the fillies’ mile division with a third Group One success in today’s Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Hermosa, here ridden by Donnacha O'Brien at Galway last July, is bidding to head the fillies' mile division with a Coronation Stakes win at Royal Ascot. PIC: Brian Lawless/PA WireHermosa, here ridden by Donnacha O'Brien at Galway last July, is bidding to head the fillies' mile division with a Coronation Stakes win at Royal Ascot. PIC: Brian Lawless/PA Wire
Hermosa, here ridden by Donnacha O'Brien at Galway last July, is bidding to head the fillies' mile division with a Coronation Stakes win at Royal Ascot. PIC: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

Aidan O’Brien’s charge fell short in three attempts at the top level as a juvenile but, after springing a 14-1 surprise in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, she has since added the Irish equivalent to her CV and is a hot favourite to strike further gold after being rerouted from the French Oaks.

Her trainer said: “Obviously her two runs have been over a mile this season. We were delighted with her at Newmarket and delighted with her at the Curragh. She’s been well since then.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We were going to go to France (for last Sunday’s Prix de Diane) but decided to stick to a mile as we think Ascot will suit her, she should be fine on the track. We’re looking forward to running her.”

Jubiloso is rated as Hermosa’s main challenger despite the fact this will be only her third outing and she is stepping right up in class after winning just a maiden and a novice to date.

Her trainer, Sir Michael Stoute, said: “It will be a big step up for Jubiloso as she has only won a maiden and a novice race. But she has been very impressive and is progressive. She is a classy filly.

“Whether she is good enough to take on the fillies in the Coronation Stakes, we will find out.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It may be a bit soon for her, but we have to give it a go.”

Jubiloso is by Shamardal out of Joyeuse, a half-sister to Frankel, and while Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, admits her pedigree fits the bill, her form requires a massive improvement.

He said: “It’s a huge ask. People must look at the pedigree and think she must be a Group One filly.”

Grimthorpe added: “Her work has suggested she is pretty useful.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“Whether she is up to this standard, we don’t know, but we very much hope she will be. She has got a bit to prove as she has gone from Chelmsford to a novice at Newbury and now you’re looking at a Group One against the best three-year-old mile fillies.

“Everything she has done so far suggest she deserves to go.

“I think you would have liked to have had one more race, just because she is relatively inexperienced, but then again, for three-year-old mile fillies this is last chance saloon as she will have to meet older horses further along the line.

“You never know if they will handle the occasion until it is upon you and you can’t simulate it.”

In addition to Hermosa, there are two other Classic winners lining up with Mark Johnston’s German Guineas-winning Main Edition trying to transfer her Dusseldorf form to British soil.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The trainer said: “It’s a huge jump from her German Guineas form to the Coronation, but this is a horse who on last year’s form was aimed at the English Guineas.

“We didn’t feel she was in great form for the Nell Gwyn (when seventh) so we switched the plan, went to Germany and got a Group Two and a Classic in the bag. Now we are back on track shooting at the big one.

“She’s got an awful lot to find, but it’s nice to have that win under our belt and, of course, she won at the meeting last year.”

Mot Juste chased home Qabala, her stablemate, in the Nell Gwyn before finishing down the field in the 1000 Guineas, but Roger Varian is hoping for better in this race, which is part of the Qipco British Champions Series.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

He said: “We were disappointed with her Guineas run. She’s a filly that likes it on the quick side, so I’d like to see it dry. She’s capable of running a big race.

“I think the Nell Gwyn form stood up in the English Guineas but, for whatever reason, she did not reproduce that in the Guineas.

“She kind of got knocked sideways, but she probably wasn’t going to hit the frame at the time. She could have a good summer, hopefully starting back on Friday.”

SOBOT’S SELECTIONS

ROYAL ASCOT: 2.30 Daahyeh, 3.05 JAPAN (NAP), 3.40 Ten Sovereigns (treble), 4.20 Hermosa (next best), 5.00 Lady Madison, 5.35 Arthurian Fame.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

REDCAR: 1.40 Six Gun, 2.10 Artois, 2.45 Cape Victory, 3.20 Robero, 3.55 Donncha, 4.35 Reasoned, 5.10 Brigadier.

MARKET RASEN: 1.50 Whiskey And Water, 2.20 Oksana, 2.55 Masteen, 3.30 Joly Maker, 4.05 Dieg Man, 4.45 Alexander The Grey, 5.20 Beyond The Pale.

GOODWOOD: 5.50 Quick Breath, 6.20 Flash Henry, 6.55 Brasca, 7.30 Sapa Inca, 8.00 Kodiac Pride, 8.35 Cape Cavalli.

NEWMARKET: 5.05 Zodiakos, 5.40 American Graffiti, 6.10 Al Namir, 6.45 Maqaadeer, 7.15 Pushmi Pullyu, 7.50 Agincourt, 8.25 Logician, 8.55 Lethal Angel.

AYR: 5.55 Jackhammer, 6.30 Noble Prospector, 7.05 The Resdev Way, 7.40 Briardale, 8.10 Tommy G, 8.45 Prestbury Park, 9.15 Pudding Chare.