O’Brien happy with his Guineas squad
O’Brien was speaking by telephone to guests, including Lester Piggott, Sir Michael Stoute, Henry Cecil and Joe Mercer, at a Newmarket racecourse lunch to celebrate next month’s 200th running of the 2000 and 1000 Guineas.
Jupiter Pluvius, a son of Johannesburg, won both of his starts as a juvenile, including the Killavullan Stakes, and is a 10-1 chance with the sponsors.
He could also be joined in the Classic by stablemates Henrythenavigator, Plan and the unraced Zulu Chief.
O’Brien said: “Jupiter Pluvius is on target for the race. He worked this morning and went well.
“Henrythenavigator is in good form and good, fast ground is very important to him. Plan is also on target and Zulu Chief might go to a maiden at Newmarket next week.
“Last year’s two-year-olds were not good enough and we are not sure of the reason why. We had a bit of a lull mid-season so we backed off with them rather than forcing on.
“We ended up with two to three months at the end of the season to go on again, and we don’t know if the horses weren’t right or if they weren’t good enough.
“It will be interesting to see what happens. They are coming along nicely but we haven’t pressed any buttons yet.
“Listen won’t make the 1000 Guineas after a setback, but Savethisdanceforme is on course.
“Kitty Matcham, who won the Rockfel last season, is also on target.
“Psalm ran in a Guineas trial at Leopardstown last weekend, and all of the fillies are in the melting pot.”
