Qabala Looks a Rock Solid 1000 Guineas Favourite

There was a lot to like about how Qabala came home in the Nell Gwyn on this course last month. She did things very nicely, had a few of her rivals behind her, and shaped as though the step up to one mile would bring even more improvement from her. She has only had two starts in her short career so far, which means there is likely to be more to come anyway, but that coupled with the improvement from the new trip could make this horse well above average and a lot better than her rivals.

She was pushed along some way out as she struggled to go with the pace early on, before stamina kicked in and she got home. There was a definite moment where she was in trouble, but both her staying power and class got her through. That shouldn’t happen here, and while I expect them to go a good pace, they won’t go at sprinting pace like they did in the Nell Gwyn.

There are plenty of other horses in with a chance here, just like the 2000 Guineas on Saturday, this race looks wide open. However, I think that is because there isn’t a real standout class act among the horses here, and that is something that Qabala could be with the improvement to come from her.

It would be no surprise to see this horse step up in trip further, and eventually she could be an Oaks horse in time. However, let’s get the Guineas out of the way first, a race where she looks to have a great chance, and one where I am hoping she comes out on top.