She's Set to Rock Them Again in Guineas
- Thursday, 12 September 2002 00:00
The Lindsay Park Guineas aspirant, We Will Rock You showed she was on target for Saturdays feature event by taking out the Haighs Chocolates Handicap at Morphettville on the weekend.
Trained at headquarters by ex-jumps jockey Joe Lockyer, We Will Rock You looked to have derived considerable benefit from her first up third behind Gucci Guru over 1254m at Cheltenham a fortnight earlier. However, the quick jump to 1518m coupled with the outside barrier of nine was enough to dissuade most punters and the filly was sent out at the odds of 7-1.
A daughter of Forest Glow (USA), sire of recent Concorde Stakes winner Fouardee, We Will Rock You made use of her early pace, taking up a position handy to the lead. The filly raced keenly throughout and at the two hundred, concerned that the leaders had had an easy time in front, jockey Joe Bowditch sent the filly for home, posting a half length victory over leader Bluewin with a further one and a quarter lengths to Mootang in third place.
On dismount Bowditch described the effort as a "good tough win" given he had to make his run earlier than he would have liked, but expressed concerns that the filly raced a little too keenly.
It is those concerns that have seen Bowditch opt for the ride on the Mark Minervini trained Red Labelle in the Guineas. Trainer Joe Lockyer sees things in a different light, however, and considers Saturdays win will settle his filly sufficiently to see out the mile trip of the Guineas. Brendan Fenech, with a Group Two victory already under his belt this spring with Liston Stakes winner Sports, has been engaged for the ride.
The field for the Guineas is an even one with five fillies, Miss Vodka, Anacarde, Milanova, Gucci Guru and Pipkin, coming into the race behind Red Labelles win at Cheltenham a fortnight ago (1404m). There the margins ranged from just a head to five lengths. Miss Vodka was second on that occasion with Gucci Guru (who was a winner over Miss Vodka their previous start) third, beaten three quarters of a length.
Bluewin and La Supreme arrive at the Guineas beaten by We Will Rock You, who continued her run of outs at the barrier again drawing nine. Rival Red Labelle has drawn well in four, whilst Gucci Guru, a Danehill half-sister to Gold Guru, has drawn the slot.
Interstate entries are headed by the Nigel Blackiston trained Purple Road. Purple Road, a filly by Timber Country, comes to Adelaide on the strength of her last start second behind Nul Autre at Caulfield. Nul Autre, among the original entries for the race did not accept.
PICS by Fiona Tomlin.
