QIPCO 1000 GUINEAS

(GROUP 1)

A SPLENDID meeting for Ryan Moore became even better on Sunday when David Wachman’s Legatissimo, representing the same owners as 2000 Guineas hero Gleneagles, took the Qipco 1000 by three-quarters of a length from Jim Bolger’s 9/2 favourite Lucida with Tiggy Wiggy and Malabar some way off them in third and fourth.

Redstart made much of the running but Tiggy Wiggy, racing wide of the others, came through to take it up with two furlongs to go. Considering how many had written her off as a non-stayer after the Fred Darling, she ran a fine race and was only collared by Lucida at the furlong pole. Lucida is tough and determined and looked likely to win but Moore, riding at his strongest, forced Legatissimo past in the final 75 yards.

PREPARATION

One of racing’s fascinations is the contrast in preparation where top races are concerned. Gleneagles arrived without a previous outing but Legatissimo had won a listed event at Gowran Park only seven days earlier. She must be very tough and already stays beyond a mile because the Gowran Park race was over the extended nine furlongs. It looks as if Danehill Dancer has passed on his speed and the stamina comes from the distaff side, the Montjeu mare Yummy Mummy, no slouch herself at 10 furlongs plus, being a sister to Fame And Glory.

All of this may well make Legatissimo a leading contender for the Investec Oaks, although Wachman was mindful of the fact that much would depend on the strength at Ballydoyle. Legatissimo joined Found at the head of the market but was cut to 7/2 from 5/1 in places when Found could finish only second at the Curragh on Monday.

“She had an unorthodox preparation with three runs in three weeks but it worked,’’ Wachman smiled upon welcoming back his first British classic winner. “On better ground she showed what she can do and dropping back in trip was never going to be a problem. Maybe a mile and a quarter would be the magic number but 12 furlongs is going to come first in the calendar.’’

Legatissimo was sent off at 13/2 after being quoted at 40/1 following the Gowran Park victory. Then came Found’s withdrawal and Moore’s switch, which made an enormous difference to the market, though there was very briefly some 10/1 on Sunday morning.

The former champion became the sixth jockey to win both Guineas in the same year, the most recent being Kieren Fallon, who completed the double for the same Ballydoyle partners on Footstepsinthesand and Virginia Water (both trained by Aidan O’Brien) in 2005.

Moore was unwilling to commit himself regarding Legatissimo’s prospects over a mile and a half but was thrilled to double up: “It worked out exactly as they (Wachman and Wayne Lordan) said it would,’’ he said with the hint of a grin. “I just had to point her, really.’’

Godolphin finished second again after Territories 24 hours earlier but Bolger was far from downhearted and expects to go straight to Royal Ascot for the Coronation Stakes.

The new Commonwealth Cup over six and a half furlongs may be ideal for Tiggy Wiggy, with Richard Hughes praising her whilst stressing that a mile is too far.