IF people thought a juvenile filly with so much speed would be found out in the latter part of the season, Richard Hannon’s Tiggy Wiggy proved them emphatically wrong in the Group 1 Connolly’s Red Mills Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket last Saturday.
In making all and scoring by three-quarters of a length from Anthem Alexander, Richard Hannon’s youngster was confirming York Lowther Stakes form with the runner-up and also seeing off French challenger High Celebrity, who was just over a length away in third last week.
The Hannons have had many fast fillies going all the way back to Lyric Fantasy and beyond but Tiggy Wiggy is also as tough as they come.
While she will almost certainly remain a sprinter, she stays a stiff six furlongs well and was never going to be caught on the climb to the line after quickening up two furlongs from home.
Richard Hughes knows how to conserve enough energy for the final challenge and those who backed the daughter of Kodiac at 6/4 were always going to collect.
Eddie Lynam can be proud of Anthem Alexander, who again chased the winner all the way and is clearly of similar ability, having just pipped her in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.
The problem for Pat Smullen was the pace, because Hughes went a fairly steady gallop yet nothing moved alongside.
There is no doubt that High Celebrity would also have preferred a stronger gallop and, of the three, she makes most appeal as a 1000 Guineas contender although André Fabre felt the undulations were against her.
great heart
Next spring is hardly bothering Hannon, who was considering this weekend’s Prix de l’Abbaye for a filly who has been on the go since March and he called it a day for the season. She continues in great heart and may do all her best work at two.
Her absence leaves Hughes free to ride Sole Power. He may start a short price but a low draw may be needed.
There is certainly no need to bet before the big day.