Newmarket Saturday

Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes (Group 1)

“RUMOURS of my demise have been greatly exaggerated” is a quote attributed to Mark Twain, but might perhaps have been the words spoken by Aidan O’Brien at the weekend as he produced a couple of outstanding prospects on either side of the Irish Sea, both sporting the increasingly familiar colours of Georg Von Opel under the Westerberg banner.

Tenebrism was the star on English soil, belying an absence and her inexperience to run out an impressive winner of the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes under Ryan Moore, and immediately jumping to the front of the 1000 Guineas market.

The daughter of Caravaggio and brilliant miler Immortal Verse was a winner of the same Naas maiden won by 2000 Guineas hero Poetic Flare last year, but had quite a serious setback after that win, so did remarkably well to get competitive upped immediately to Group 1 company, let alone win.

Awkward

As expected, recent Ripon winner Flotus (Simon & Ed Crisford/James Doyle) made the early running and headed to the stands rail, while Ryan Moore allowed Tenebrism to find her feet after an awkward start, and the pair were last after a furlong, at which point Moore also made his way to the rail, although the rest of the field fanned out as the race developed, giving the winner ample room.

Flotus set a solid pace in front, and appeared to have her main rivals in trouble with over a furlong to go.

But just as victory seemed assured 100 yards out, Moore brought 14/1 shot Tenebrism with a powerful run up the rail to collar the long-time leader and prevail by a length, with Sandrine (Andrew Balding/David Probert) three lengths further back in a race run in a quicker time than the Middle Park.

Sandrine was unlucky not to finish closer given she had to move wide on the track to launch her challenge, but she was third best on the day, and even though Tenebrism was helped by getting a clear run up the rail as the field spread out, the ground she made up in the last two furlongs was astonishing.

With Flotus not stopping in front, her late surge was deeply impressive both visually and on the clock – race replays show that she was still around two lengths down with half a furlong left, so to make up three lengths on a filly who was herself maintaining her advantage over a dual Group 2 winner is remarkable, and is testament to the winner’s raw talent.

Long time

A delighted Aidan O’Brien said: “I didn’t think it was possible for her to do that, not because of ability but because of the lay-off she’d had. She had a setback after the last day and was off for a long time.

“She was just literally ready to come racing and I had a knot in my stomach whether it was fair to be running her or not, but there is only one Cheveley Park, and you don’t get horses with the speed and the turn of foot she has very often. That’s why she’s here really.

“Her Dad had a terribly good turn of speed as well and that’s what she has. I said to Ryan ‘just get her to relax and find herself and see what’s going to happen’.

“She did the very same thing in her maiden – it’s a rare thing when you see them able to quicken like that.

“How far would she stay is the next thing. I had her entered over seven furlongs at the weekend and usually if they get seven, they might get a mile. Wherever she is, you’ll be riding her for speed. You have to train her now as a Guineas filly and you can come back in trip any time.”

“I would say if she’s going to go again this year it will be in America. To go travelling (to the Breeders’ Cup) would be a great experience. I’d say if she comes out of it well and the lads want to do it, we’d be delighted to go – it’s definitely something we’d have to think about.”

Ed Crisford is also weighing up the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies’ Turf for runner-up Flotus, who has delivered on the huge promise of her debut somewhat belatedly, but now looks a smashing prospect for next year, having the size and scope to improve from two to three.

While neither of the dominant pair are sure to stay a mile on pedigree, the 1000 Guineas is an obvious starting point for both next spring.