Hot news from trainers as Winter bids to freeze out rivals again

4.20 Ascot
Coronation Stakes | Gr 1 | 1m | 3yo fillies | ITV/RUK

Only Attraction in 2004 has added the Coronation Stakes to victories in the 1,000 Guineas and the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but Winter is long odds-on to emulate Mark Johnston's star filly.

Chappet turns to Precieuse gem

Precieuse caused a surprise in landing the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches on her first try at a mile, but there was no fluke, either in the way she travelled kindly through the race for Olivier Peslier or in the way she scooted clear of Sea Of Grace.

That was a first Group 1 success for trainer Fabrice Chappet, who has never doubted his filly's ability.

Conditions at Deauville were on the soft side and, unusually for a French challenger in this race, Precieuse is yet to tackle a turning track, as the Classic was staged over a straight mile for a second year in succession while Longchamp is redeveloped.

Although any thundery showers in the area would count as a plus for the daughter of Tamayuz, Chappet is relaxed about the prospect of both good ground and the filly's ability to race round a turn.

"She's only ever run on straight tracks but she's handled running round a bend fine in the mornings and I don’t see it being a problem," said Chappet. "Ascot is still Ascot, but she's a very well balanced filly, so she should be fine.

"She's run very well on good ground as well as on soft. She has a really good action although she goes on soft – which you can’t say about all fillies – but good ground doesn’t worry me."

Precieuse will race for the first time in the two-tone green colours of Peter Brant's Whitebirch Farm, so nearly successful in the Prix de Diane last Sunday when another high-profile purchase, Sistercharlie, finished second.

Pros
A decisive Classic winner who showed she stays a mile and looks to be progressing at a rate of knots

Cons
Has a potentially bridgeable 4lb to find on official ratings with Winter but has to prove as effective in very different conditions to those she faced in the French Guineas.

Dabyah bids to boost Gosden record

John Gosden bids for a third success in the Coronation Stakes with Dabyah who, as the market indicates, appears the most viable alternative to odds-on favourite Winter.

The Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah-owned filly, a winner of three of her four starts, returned to action with victory in the Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes, formerly known as the Fred Darling Stakes, at Newbury in April, making all to defeat Urban Fox by a length and a quarter.

Dabyah’s strongest piece of form came in defeat at the backend of last season when she finished a length third behind Wuheida in the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly in October.

That form alone gives her fair claims, but Gosden does not underestimate the task in taking on Winter, with champion jockey Jim Crowley replacing injured regular rider Frankie Dettori.

Gosden said: “We were forced to miss the French 1,000 Guineas with her but we were always minded to come for this race.

“She seems fine again now and has been pleasing at home but we’re fully aware we’re taking on probably the best miler in Europe.”

Pros
Remains open to improvement after just four starts and boasts solid Group 1-placed form from last year’s Prix Marcel Boussac third

Cons
May get taken on for the lead by Hydrangea in what could prove a tactical affair and has 6lb to find with Winter on official ratings

Casse: La Coronel deserves more credit

A year on from Tepin’s memorable Queen Anne success, Mark Casse bids for a second Group 1 success at the royal meeting with La Coronel.

The John Oxley-owned daughter of Colonel John arrives on the back of victories in two Grade 3 events – the Appalachian Stakes at Keeneland and Edgewood Stakes at Churchill Downs – and on official ratings has 5lb to find with Winter.

In the first of those wins, La Coronel defeated Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf winner New Money Honey and runner-up Coasted and Casse believes she has not got the credit she deserves.

He said: “She’s blossomed since she’s been over here and we’re very excited. It’s a tough race, but she’s better than everyone is claiming.

“She’s the best three-year-old turf filly in North America and we’ll find out just how that form stacks up. Despite her form on good to firm ground, I was actually hoping for a little give, but the quick conditions will do her no harm.”

Tomyris faces big step up

Roger Varian’s Tomyris is another to arrive on a hat-trick, with Nurlan Bizakov’s filly posting a career-best when landing the Listed Longines Irish Champions Weekend Fillies’ Stakes under Andrea Atzeni at York.

The three-quarter of a length triumph over subsequent Sandringham Handicap eighth On Her Toes gives her something to find on her first attempt at the highest level. Although that victory came on soft ground, the daughter of Invincible Spirit won a Newmarket maiden on good to firm in April.

Atzeni said: “She won nicely at York and travelled really well into the race, which was only her third start. Her work has been very good but it's a big step up in class from a Listed win to a Group 1 and Winter is very good and the one to beat.

“We have a nice draw and I can see her running a big race.”

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