Musical Times solidified its status as a leading contender for next year's 1,000 Guineas with a commanding performance in the Group 2 Betfred May Hill Stakes at Doncaster on Friday. The three-time winner, trained by Charlie Appleby, is now the favorite for the Classic race after her decisive victory.
Sent off as the 7/4 favorite, Musical Times, a daughter of Lope De Vega, traveled smoothly under jockey William Buick. Upon being asked to quicken in the final furlong, the filly responded immediately, pulling away from her rivals to win by an impressive seven-and-a-half lengths. The margin of victory was wider than that achieved by her dam, Dubai Fountain, who finished second in the same Group 2 contest.
Following the win, bookmakers significantly adjusted the odds for the 1,000 Guineas, held in May. William Hill now lists Musical Times as the 6/1 favorite, a notable drop from her previous 25/1 price. The filly is also the 7/4 market leader for the bet365 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket on October 9.
Appleby indicated that the Fillies' Mile was always the intended next start for Musical Times, a plan in place since her victory at Yarmouth. He noted the filly's ability to handle the softer ground at Doncaster, while also expressing confidence in her adaptability to quicker surfaces expected in the autumn and spring.
"I don't see why she (Musical Times) shouldn't be a Guineas filly," Appleby stated. "We won this a couple of years ago with Desert Flower, who went on to win the Guineas. Funnily enough I see this filly as more of a Guineas filly than Desert Flower, who was big and scopey and unfortunately didn't quite win the Oaks."
Another notable performance at the St. Leger Festival came from Waardah, trained by Owen Burrows. She captured the Group 2 Betfred Park Hill Fillies' Stakes comfortably. Burrows mentioned that Waardah appreciates some give in the ground and highlighted her previous solid runs. Her next target is the Prix de Royallieu in France on Arc weekend, with potential consideration for the Group 1 Fillies & Mares on British Champions Day at Ascot afterward.
Sam Turner's tips for Day Two of the St. Leger Festival include Final Objective (each-way) in the 2:25 race, Launch Sequence in the 4:45, and Something Splendid (each-way) in the 5:20 contest.