Minding all business in 1000 Guineas
Minding has led in an Aidan O’Brien-trained trifecta in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Her win on Sunday came 24 hours after the disappointment of stablemate Air Force Blue’s failure as the odds-on favourite in the 2000 Guineas for colts.
Long admired by all those involved with her, including jockey Ryan Moore, Minding did not disappoint as she trounced the opposition, just as she did in the Fillies’ Mile on her final run as a two-year-old in October.
Moore made the decision to position the 11-10 favourite just off the early pace set by Lumiere.
As Lumiere weakened rapidly approaching the final quarter of a mile (400m), Moore made use of Minding’s potent turn of foot to forge to what was to become an unassailable advantage.
Minding drew clear for a 3-1/2 victory from Ballydoyle, with Alice Springs a further half a length away as O’Brien bagged his 250th Group One winner.
“She’s exciting, really,” O’Brien said.
“Ryan was very confident as he knew she would get the trip.
“We know she handles more cut in the ground than that, which is great. She’s not ground dependent.
Although she was cut into even-money for the Oaks with William Hill and RaceBets – and 4-5 for the same race with both Ladbrokes and Paddy Power – she was also handed an intriguing quote of 5-2 favourite ‘with a run’ for the Derby by both Hills and Ladbrokes.