Equinties - The Craven Stakes

Gm Equinauts

We mentioned yesterday that Andrew Balding has changed things up a little. Rather than trotting at Christmas, most of his horses are now cantering meaning they’re a lot more forward this time of year.

And boy is that paying off. In the last week he’s had 8 winners, including our man Norm’s nice gamble yesterday:

A yard in hot, hot form!

He has over 300 horses in training at the moment with 80 2yo’s yet to run!

Exciting times for a yard local to us.

Let’s dive in.

HEADLINE ROUNDUP

FRENCH, NOT ENGLISH

Four of the 10 horses that contested yesterday’s Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes didn’t have an entry for the Newmarket 1000 Guineas, and yet, one of them won yesterday’s Guineas trial. Lol.

That’s right, ZANZOUN won the Nell Gwyn Stakes yesterday, and she looked quite good. She travelled powerfully and handled the Newmarket dip well to then quicken up nicely. She really look like losing with two furlongs to go so on all accounts, that means it was a good performance.

The form can maybe be questioned. It’s an early-season race, and it’s weird that Juddmonte never gave ZANZOUN an entry for the Newmarket 1000 Guineas. Did they think she was never up for it?

Well, we suspect Gosden has been forward thinking and knows the turf in France might suit her much better, as well being a favourable move in steering clear of DESERT FLOWER.

John Gosden said: "Zanzoun was not overraced last year so has come here a relatively fresh filly. She won her maiden at the end of the season and we wanted to come here rather than a handicap and it's paid off.

"She's got some bold black type now, which is important, and hopefully there is more to come.

"There is a significant filly not running here today [Godolphin's ante-post 1,000 Guineas favourite Desert Flower], so we'll go to Paris and she can come to Newmarket."

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