3 minute read

Charlie Appleby looks to have another smart filly on his hands after Desert Flower enhanced her 1000 Guineas credentials with a snug success in the Group 2 May Hill at Doncaster on Thursday.

An impressive winner over seven furlongs on debut at Newmarket’s July course, she readily proved she was a filly with considerable potential when brushing aside her rivals with ease under a penalty over the same course and distance a few weeks later. 

That performance forced connections to pitch her into Group 2 company on the Town Moor, for which she was sent off the even-money market leader in an attempt to stretch her unbeaten record to three. 

The pace looked an even one throughout with Anshoda and Serving With Style forcing the tempo at the head of affairs, while Buick was content to track the leading duo on Desert Flower. The daughter of Night Of Thunder was bustled up to make her move approaching the final furlong and once sent to the front by Buick, the result never looked in doubt as she stretched clear for a comfortable one-and-a-half length success. 

Aidan O'Brien’s January stayed on well to finish back in second for Sean Levey, while Flight, who had finished runner-up to Desert Flower before winning at Sandown, emerged with credit back in third. 

“That was very pleasing,” Buick told Sky Sports Racing. “Obviously, she’s done everything right so far and you look at her and she’s a nice, big filly with plenty of scope for next year.

“I was always happy, and she handled the ground. She just had a look when she got to the front, which you can always excuse on an inexperienced two-year-old. I was delighted with her, and she had plenty in reserve.”

“She came into the race very easily, which is the sign of a quality horse obviously, and she kind of confirmed what she showed us at home and on the racecourse on her first two starts.”

Paddy Power cut the winner to 10/1 (from 12s) for the 1000 Guineas next season, while the same firm make her a 4/1 chance (from 6s) for the Fillies’ Mile later this year.

Buick added: “The obvious race for her now is the Fillies’ Mile. Charlie and the team will get together and make a decision, but a mile now certainly seems to work.”

Victory was completing a double on the card for connections after Buick successfully steered Hallasan to a narrow victory in the valuable Weatherbys Scientific £300,000 2-Y-O Stakes. 

The gelded son of Pinatubo was sent off a 15/2 chance on his first outing since opening his account in some style at Nottingham in July. 

Ryan Moore looked to have produced the 11-4 market leader Camille Pissarro with a winning run, but Buick’s mount continued to find for pressure and after a short deliberation by the judge, it was confirmed that Hallasan had clung on to prevail by a nose. 

“He dug really deep,” explained Buick on Sky Sports Racing. “He’s sort of been in front a long time, but he kept responding and I’m delighted with him,” 

“He’s a horse who showed plenty of ability early on, so he might just be fulfilling it now.

“He may get seven (furlongs), although he is a sharp horse. It’s a lovely race to win, he hadn’t run for a while before today, so he’s obviously improving at the right time of year.”