IF it was needed, Friday proved to be redemption day for Frankie Dettori as he delivered Inspiral (115+) to perfection in the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, in doing so the Cheveley Park Stud-owned filly sent the clear message she would likely have won the Qipco 1000 Guineas if making the line-up at Newmarket, but she still has a bit to go to get to Homeless Songs (120+) who was more impressive in the Irish Guineas.

Dettori must have been questioning his luck once more through the early stages of the race as his partner was slow to gather stride and raced further back in the field as a result.

However, on this occasion the gaps opened at the right time and the daughter of Frankel seized them to clock a closing sectional of 35.24secs under just a hands and heels ride.

In the context of the race this proved too quick for closest rival Spendarella (111) who covered the same ground in 36.88secs. Of the fillies who contested the Guineas at Newmarket, Discoveries (110) did best, even though her closing sectional of 36.80secs was bettered by Tenebrism (110) who stopped the clock at 36.46secs for the three furlongs.

The absence of Homeless Songs (previously 120+), due to the fast ground, leaves us with the unanswered question, who is the best three-year-old filly over a mile?

I am inclined to trust my initial assessment of the Irish 1000 Guineas so I would have to side with Dermot Weld’s filly, as the form has stood scrutiny on more than one occasion through.

What is for sure is both fillies possess a potent turn of foot and, along with Tuesday and Emily Upjohn, will test the boys when they hopefully meet later in the campaign. On the evidence of the season so far, I would side with the girls, with the exception of Baaeed.

The best time figure of the day was again posted in a handicap as Candleford (116+) signalled he is destined to contest pattern-class races in the future.

The son of Kingman overcame a wide trip throughout to forge clear in the straight and post a closing sectional of 36.82secs which, although no match for Inspiral, compared well with the placed fillies in the Coronation Stakes and was faster than Changingoftheguard (100+) who completed his race in 38.32secs in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes.

The previously progressive Contact (105+), who was on the heels of the winner turning for home, was eventually beaten seven lengths despite a closing sectional of 37.92secs.

PERFECT Power (115+) added another Royal Ascot victory to his CV with a clear-cut victory in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup. Richard Fahey’s colt is at the peak of his powers over six furlongs and looks set to hold his own against his elders as the season progresses.

The doubt over a difficult draw in stall one was soon overcome as Christophe Soumillon secured the son of Ardad the cover he requires to unleash his turn of foot. Leaving nothing to chance the French jockey asked his mount to win the race passing the two-furlong pole, which he did handsomely, first seeing off Ehraz (108) and then going again when joined by Cadamosto (110).

A closing sectional of 35.55secs was achieved with any amount in hand with Soumillon even allowing himself a punch of the air as the pair crossed the line one and a quarter lengths clear of Flaming Rib (111).

Hugo Palmer’s colt upheld the form of the Sandy Lane Stakes, staying on strongly as the line loomed to edge out Flotus (111) for second place. The duo clocked 36.20secs and 36.26secs respectively for their closing sectional.

Second chance

I am inclined to allow Ehraz another chance to prove himself at this level as he was forced to challenge widest and came from furthest back in his group. In the circumstances a closing split of 35.96secs makes good reading.

Although a little further back, Hala Hala Athmani (106+) acquitted herself well on her seasonal debut, especially in such a fiercely contested event. William Buick switched his mount to secure cover before the daughter of Dabirsim covered her fifth furlong in 11.84secs (a section which only the winner covered faster) on her way to covering the final three furlongs in 36.11secs.

Meditate (95+) dominated her field in the Albany, albeit in a slow time. However, Aidan O’Brien’s filly went through the line strongly in posting a closing sectional of 36.24secs and will no doubt improve when stepped up to seven furlongs. A similar comment applies to Ivory Madonna (90+) who finished off in 36.16secs after overcoming a slow start.

Heredia (102) won a Sandringham Stakes dominated by runners drawn high, using Crenelle (99) as a target before holding the late challenge of Zanbaq (101+). The winner and second clocked an identical closing sectional of 36.64secs.

Latin Lover (100+) (34.87secs) impressed in winning the concluding Hollyroodhouse Stakes as he first covered rivals on his side of the track, before finding another surge to pass Nymphadora (97) and Peggy Sioux (97) in the shadows of the post. A repeat of this performance can see Harry Eustace’s gelding follow up from his revised rating.

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