The Mackem Bullet wins Grade 2 at Keeneland to set up possible 1,000 Guineas bid

Wesley Ward said the Qipco 1,000 Guineas remains under consideration for The Mackem Bullet after she brushed aside soft-ground concerns to win the Grade 2 Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland on Sunday.

The filly was trained by Brian Ellison for her juvenile campaign, which featured seconds in the Lowther and Cheveley Park behind Fairyland, but she has been with Ward since the end of last year and holds an entry in the fillies' Classic at Newmarket on May 5.

On her first start on turf since joining the US trainer, famed for his well executed raids on Royal Ascot, The Mackem Bullet quickened best past the pace-setting Catch A Thrill to win cosily by a length and a quarter over Regal Glory.

Victory in the $200,000 contest was The Mackem Bullet's first over a mile, and she remains a best-priced 40-1 to win the 1,000 Guineas.

Wesley Ward: said the 1,000 Guineas remains a possible optionCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Ward said: "She’s really done well here over the winter. I always thought she’d probably prefer the grass. She had a beautiful breeze here last week over the grass.

"There was a little question mark about the surface today but I spoke to Brian Ellison twice and he assured me she’d be okay, and she was."

Of future targets for the Katsumi Yoshida-owned filly, Ward added: "When Brian sent her to me, the idea was to go back to the Guineas, so we’ll have to see what they want to do. I’m lucky they chose me to train her."

Tyler Gaffalione, the winning jockey, said: "We had a perfect trip. She broke sharp and put herself right in the race. The speed went on and we sat second. I had a ton of horse going all the way around.

"When we turned for home, I tapped her on the shoulder once and she kicked on. She was just cruising out there."

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