Trainer Philippe Sogorb has revealed that Vorda, winner of the Group 1 Connolly's RED MILLS Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket's Rowley Mile Racecourse last September, is an intended runner in the Group 1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas at the same venue on 4th May.
"Vorda is coming through the winter in great shape and we will aim her at the 1000 Guineas," Sogorb said. "The plan is for her to make her seasonal debut in the Prix Imprudence at Maisons-Laffitte [on 3rd April] before heading over to Newmarket."
"It is best to forget her race at Santa Anita [she finished seventh in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf] as she didn't appreciate the turns. All her other races were on straight courses and she was not used to using her shoulders. She also received a bump early on, so she was never at the races and was a bit lost that day."
Apart from that American foray, Vorda has never run over further than six furlongs but Sogorb does not expect the extra quarter mile of the QIPCO 1000 Guineas or the likelihood of a large field to be an issue. "I think that she will stay a mile at Newmarket and she is an easy ride." he said.
"Vorda has done well physically over the winter and although she has not grown very much she has lengthened. I ride her in the mornings and she now feels like a three-year-old."
"We have had excellent training weather down here in Mont-de-Marsan and all is going well for her comeback race on 3rd April."
French winners of the Cheveley Park Stakes have a good record in the following year’s 1000 Guineas with both Natagora (in 2007/8) and Special Duty (in 2009/10) completing the double.
A French challenge for the QIPCO 2000 Guineas is also possible as trainer Elie Lellouche reports that his Group 1 Criterium International winner, Ectot, will definitely be entered in the colts Classic, which is run a day before the QIPCO 1000 on Saturday 3rd May.
“We are leaning towards running Ectot in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains following a prep race in the Prix de Fontainebleau," Lellouche said. "But he will be entered in both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby."
Newmarket Racecourses reports that advance ticket sales are good and on a par with a year ago. Advance tickets are now online at the discounted rate of £20.70 for the Grandstand & Paddock and £36 for Premier, with bigger discounts for bookings of 10 or more tickets and free entry for all accompanied children under the age of 18.
To book, visit www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk or call 0844 579 3010.
For further information please contact:
Michael Prosser, Head of Racing, Jockey Club East Region, 07802 844 578 or
Tony Rushmer, Racing PR manager, Newmarket Racecourses, 07702 579 382
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