‘Sparkling’ SetaFallon’s choice for 1000 Guineas
The six-times champion jockey has elected to partner Luca Cumani’s filly in preference to Music Show, the impressive Nell Gwyn winner who will be ridden by Ryan Moore.
Fallon, chasing a fifth triumph in the 1000 Guineas, said: “She looks like she is filling her frame and the way she has gone away from her lead horses is a tell-tale sign for me.
“I had to make a tough decision last week on which filly to ride and I hope that I have got it right.
“But with the way Seta has been working at home, I had to stay with her.”
Despite Fallon’s confidence in Seta, the jockey is hoping conditions are not too fast at Headquarters.
He added: “I hope the ground is not too firm as it can get very firm at Newmarket.
“She is a big filly and I hope that it rains between now and Sunday.”
Special Duty spearheads 23 confirmations for Sunday’s Classic.
The Criquette Head-Maarek trained filly has been the ante-post favourite since her brilliant Cheveley Park success last October.
Although she was defeated upon her return at Maisons-Laffitte, Head-Maarek will be striving for a fourth success in the fillies’ Classic.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, said: “It was difficult when she got beat on her comeback as that was not the result we would have liked.
“It has been very cold in Chantilly through the winter and she was quite backward.
“She did a super piece of work last Tuesday over a mile with three lead horses.
“You have to have a bit of speed to win the Guineas, which she has.
“She’s never been a big scopey sort, but she has filled out.”
Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum could be double-handed in his pursuit of back-to-back 1000 Guineas victories.
The powerful owner struck 12 months ago with Ghanaati, and is this year responsible for the unbeaten Rumoush, trained by Marcus Tregoning, and Habaayib.
Pollenator and Puff are other notable British entries to have stood their ground.
Ralph Beckett remains unsure the latter, who won the Fred Darling at Newmarket earlier this month, will see out the one mile trip.
He said: “She’d shown she had ability in the Cheveley Park last year and I didn’t think then that she would get a mile and I’m still not overly confident.”
