'We haven’t had a filly like this in the Guineas before' - unbeaten Godolphin star dazzles in Newmarket gallop

Desert Flower shortened for the Betfred 1,000 Guineas on Wednesday after Charlie Appleby said the unbeaten star is his best-ever chance of claiming the fillies' Classic on the back of an impressive workout on the Rowley Mile.

The Godolphin filly was a perfect four from four as a juvenile, including a dominant five-and-a-half-length win in the Fillies' Mile, and had already been a warm ante-post favourite for the May 4 Classic, but William Hill, Paddy Power and Betfair Sportsbook were among the firms to trim her from 11-8 to 5-4 after Appleby's confident words.

The daughter of Night Of Thunder caught the eye among an A-list group of gallopers, powering out of the Dip at the close of her exercise under William Buick.

Desert Flower with Charlie Appleby after exercising on the Rowley MileCredit: Edward Whitaker

Appleby said: "We haven’t had a filly like this going into the Guineas before but we're not feeling the pressure. She’s an unbeaten Group 1-winning filly and in my eyes the one to beat. She’s had a great winter and a few people have asked me if she’s been in Dubai as she looks so well, but she’s never been away from Moulton Paddocks.”

Covering seven furlongs with lead horse Broadway Act, Desert Flower was half a dozen lengths clear at the finish and did not appear to be blowing after her exercise.

Appleby added: “She’s a very powerful filly, as she showed in the autumn of her two-year-old career. You couldn't fail to be impressed by what we saw this morning. The ground was good to soft but good horses can go on any ground. What she's showing is versatility on the conditions she’s running on. Hopefully we can have a clear run into the race.”

Desert Flower has occasionally hit a flat spot in her races and did so in her workout here, but Appleby was encouraged by the way she picked up coming out of the Dip, just as she did in the Fillies' Mile.

Appleby, who did not rule out Desert Flower moving on to the Oaks at Epsom after her Guineas assignment, said: “She’s a funny filly as in her races she takes her time to get organised between the three and the two pole, when those who have backed her would be getting a bit twitchy, I dare say. She’s a big filly and takes a bit of time to sort herself, but once she finds that stride and that rhythm she sees it out well. 

"After she won at Doncaster myself and William discussed the Dip here and how she would handle it and it wasn’t until she hit the rising ground in the Fillies' Mile that she really hit top gear. I feel she has done that again this morning.”

Shadow Of Light (William Buick, left) gallops on the Rowley Mile with Highland AvenueCredit: Edward Whitaker

Buick partnered Middle Park and Dewhurst winner Shadow Of Light in a similar exercise with Highland Avenue. The son of Lope De Vega is expected to improve heading to the 2,000 Guineas, for which he is available at 7-1.

Appleby said: “Shadow Of Light has done well physically over winter and looks great. We were pleased with his work. His preparation has been faultless and it has always been the plan to come here to gallop ahead of the Guineas rather than go to a trial.

“The question mark is the step up to a mile but from what we saw in the Dewhurst we have a lot of confidence in him and as a physical we're hopeful he'll stay. He’s one of those who if he does stay, great, and that opens up other options, but if he doesn’t we can drop him back for the Commonwealth Cup.“

James Doyle rode recent Meydan winner Ruling Court in a separate workout with Spectacular View and connections are upbeat about his prospects, which could include a crack at the 2,000 Guineas on May 3.

Appleby said: “We had planned originally to possibly go to Sandown with Ruling Court for the Classic Trial and we’ll see how the dust settles after this morning’s work, but he’s in the Guineas mix for sure. For me, the 2,000 Guineas is one of the best Derby trials and we might look towards that as his trial for the Derby."

Also on show was Notable Speech, who was appearing at the Rowley Mile for the first time since his 2,000 Guineas success a year ago. He is set to appear in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes at Newbury next month.

Betfred 2,000 Guineas (Newmarket, May 3)
Paddy Power: 11-4 Field Of Gold, 9-2 Twain, 7 Scorthy Champ, Shadow Of Light, 10 Cosmic Year, 10 Ruling Court, 12 Expanded, Jonquil, 16 bar

Betfred 1,000 Guineas (Newmarket, May 4)
Paddy Power: 5-4 Desert Flower, 6 Lake Victoria, 7 Red Letter, 16 Bedtime Story, Falling Snow, 20 bar

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