Dual Derby-winning trainer Charlie Appleby came close to winning last year's QIPCO 2000 Guineas when Master Of The Seas (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) was narrowly beaten by Poetic Flare (Ire) (Dawn Approach {Ire}), and his Godolphin stable appears to hold two aces for the opening Classic of the British season.
G3 Craven S. winner Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) are currently first and second favourites for the 2000 Guineas ahead of the Aidan O'Brien-trained Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).
“William [Buick] sat on Native Trail on Saturday and was very pleased with the way he galloped, and from what we have seen to date we are very pleased with how he has come out of the gallop most importantly,” Appleby said in an update Godolphin.com.
“James [Doyle] will get the ride on Coroebus. He sat on him on Saturday. He sat on him midweek as well as he hasn't ridden him in any of his races to date. He looks great and has definitely come forward for that racecourse gallop at Newmarket.
“We go in there with two live chances and we are very much looking forward to it. It will be an exciting weekend.”
Appleby also runs G3 Fred Darling S. winner Wild Beauty (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in Sunday's QIPCO 1000 Guineas.
He continued, “[Wild Beauty] is a Grade I stakes winner in Canada. In the trial over seven [furlongs] in the Fred Darling she put up a brave performance and did it the right way round. We are confident going back up to the mile will see some further improvement from the trial.”
The opening day of the Guineas meeting, which has reverted to a three-day format this year, sees the return to Britain of the G1 Breeders' Cup Turf winner Yibir (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}). The 4-year-old gelding was last seen finishing runner-up in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic in March and on Friday he contests the G2 Betfair Exchange Jockey Club S.
“Hopefully that will springboard him on to a trip to America for the Man O' War Stakes,” said Appleby.
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