Trainer Aidan O’Brien does not expect the rain-softened ground to trouble the unbeaten Maybe as she shoots for Classic glory in Sunday’s 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
After making a winning debut at Naas a year ago, the tough filly was successful on four more occasions, rounding off the year with victory in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in August.
Connections deliberately gave Maybe an extended winter break to ensure she would be ready to make her three-year-old debut at Newmarket.
“We were very happy with her last year and we’ve been watching this race for a long time now,” O’Brien said.
“Everything has gone well so far and we’re very happy.
“She had five races in a short enough space of time so we didn’t want to over-push her.
“We wanted to give her an early break for her winter so we could start early this year and, so far, everything has worked well.
“I don’t think she has a big preference for ground. She’s by Galileo and they seem to go on anything.”
It promises to be a huge weekend for the trainer’s son, Joseph, who gets the leg-up on the filly 24 hours after partnering 2000 Guineas favourite Camelot.
The talented young rider believes Maybe ticks all the right boxes.
“She’s uncomplicated, she’s relaxed, she has a great attitude and she has plenty of class,” he told At The Races.
“You’d imagine she’ll get a mile and a bit further in time.
“We’re looking forward to her.”
Maybe is one of 18 declared fillies, with O’Brien also saddling Homecoming Queen.
Joining the Ballydoyle pair on the trip from Ireland are Jim Bolger’s Alla Speranza, the Kevin Prendergast-trained La Collina and Lightening Pearl from the Ger Lyons stable.
Connections of the latter have, however, said she will only line up if conditions are not too testing.
The Godolphin team struck with Blue Bunting 12 months ago and this year have two major contenders in Lyric Of Light and Discourse, who will be ridden by Frankie Dettori and Mickael Barzalona respectively.
Jean-Claude Rouget’s Mashoora is a major contender for France, while Ralph Beckett supplemented Moonstone Magic following her victory in the Fred Darling at Newbury a fortnight ago.
