“There’s other possible targets for him like the Canadian International and the Hong Kong race, but there’s a lot to be chewed over and we will enjoy doing it”.
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“We’ve been very happy with her at home and she’s thrived from race to race”, O’Brien said.
The prospect of a small field and a tactical affair was a worry for Moore.
Minding was last of the five runners coming into the home Stretch but surged ahead of the field to finish a length ahead of Queen’s Trust in second and Jemayel in third.
“She’s run in seven Group ones in a row and has won six – she is a very special filly”, he added.
This season she has scooped the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Investec Oaks at Epsom and Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh, while also finishing a head runner-up in the Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas.
“It’s hard to compare (horses), it’s hard to know how good she is, she’s doing it over a variety of trips and only does what she has to do”. “A mile, a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half all come alike to her”.
Nearing the top of the straight, Minding was squeezed by her rivals and forced to check. She’s ready to go into most slots now – she doesn’t have to (take on the colts) if the lads decide not to, but she’s probably ready to step into different company now if she wants. She is thriving and she has a great mind.
With Minding’s victory on Saturday, O’Brien again achieved the big-race double at the Qatar Goodwood Festival following The Gurkha’s neck success in the Qatar Sussex Stakes (eng-I) on Wednesday. “It’s a long way away – we’ll just enjoy today first”. I’m not convinced this is his track, he’s much better on flat tracks.
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Sir Michael Stoute won last year’s Qatar Handicap (2400m) with Dartmouth, who is under Spring Racing Carnival consideration. Marenko has since finished 12th in the G1 Coronation S.at Royal Ascot June 17 and her owner Cheveley Park Stud’s managing director Chris Richardson is expecting better with the drop in class.
