Dubai: Aneen, who is trained by veteran handler Kevin Prendergast, could be the surprise package in the Group 1 Irish 1,000 Guineas, at The Curragh in Ireland.
Owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, Aneen will be having her first start since winning a maiden at the Irish track back in October.
However, 84-year-old Prendergast, who landed the fillies’ Classic back in 1981 with Arctique Royale, is not too concerned about the big gap between races.
“She’s in good form and I think she’ll run a big race,” said the Irish handler.
“We haven’t been able to get a run into her this spring. It just didn’t happen because of one or two niggly little things, but she’s been away and she’s working very well at the moment.
“She’s a good filly and I think she’ll run very well,” added Prendergast who won the Irish 2,000 Guineas 41 years ago with Northern Treasure.
Shaikh Hamdan last won the 1,000 Guineas in 2010 with Bethrah having previously scored with Matiya in 1996 and Mehthaaf in 1994.
Jim Bolger’s recent 1,000 Guineas Trial winner Bean Feasa will bid to secure a first victory for Godolphin in The Curragh Classic.
However, the horse to beat looks to be Winter, one of four runners for Aidan O’Brien who chases a seventh victory in this one-mile contest
The Ballydoyle handler said: “Winter has done well since Newmarket and is really thriving. She progressed from her first run to Newmarket and we think she has progressed again.
“We were disappointed with Hydrangea at Newmarket, and hopefully she will come back and run better.”
O’Brien’s son, Joseph, saddles Intricately, winner of the Moyglare last September and was fourth in the Guineas trial.
