Leading Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien has spoken about his Guineas team heading into the flat season, with so many smart three year olds to pick from he has finalised his best chances for the Classic events.
Looking into his 2000 Guineas team, he could go on to send at least five runners into the race but will instead save some for the Irish 2000 Guineas and will look to spearhead his attack on the race with general 5/1 chance Luxembourg.
A superstar as a two year winning all three of his starts including the Group Two Beresford Stakes and then the Group One Vertem Futurity Stakes at Doncaster, he now look set for a big three year old campaign.
(Credit Racing Post) "Luxembourg was always the horse. From the time he went [for his debut] to Killarney, we knew he was very good," O'Brien said.
"It looks as though Luxembourg will go straight for the Guineas as well. He travelled well in his work and finished close to Point Lonsdale so it will be interesting to see how they get on at Newmarket.
He’s the real deal! Luxembourg wins the Group 1 @vertemam Futurity Trophy in style for Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien at @DoncasterRaces! pic.twitter.com/pNFjPHvIsj
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 23, 2021
"We could make a plan after Newmarket but obviously both colts could step up a good bit further in trip this season."
O'Brien has also spoke highly about Point Lonsdale, who has also done very little wrong to date, racing five times as a juvenile, winning his first four events in taking style including the Listed Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot and Group Two Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.
He unfortunately lost his unbeaten record on his final start when finishing second to the monster Native Trail in the Group One Vincent O'Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.
The Ballydoyle maestro feels Point Lonsdale could be overlooked in the betting for the Group One at 10/1 having worked extremely well alongside his stablemate Luxembourg recently.
The handler said:"Point Lonsdale worked in the same group as Luxembourg on Saturday and that was the first time they went together.
"I was very happy with Point Lonsdale. The two of them came up the straight very well. At the moment, the plan is for the two of them to go for the Guineas."
🚀 Tenebrism is sensational in the @JuddmonteFarms Cheveley Park Stakes
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 25, 2021
🏇 Two races
🥇 Two wins
⭐️ Daughter of Caravaggio
😍 Special performance
Tenebrism is all class to land Group One honours at @NewmarketRace for Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore & team @Ballydoyle pic.twitter.com/9cHVVptjkG
O'Brien added: "Point Lonsdale is a very brave horse. Even looking at him at the Curragh, his head goes right down to the ground. He's a great traveller – he has plenty of pace – but we think he'll stay as well. He'll love the nice ground, even though he did a lot of his racing last year on softer ground, but he's a very kind horse."
It's not just his 2000 Guineas team that got him excited for the season ahead with his three year old fillies also set to mount a big challenge in the 1000 Guineas with Tenebrism right at the top of the list.
The twice seen daughter of Caravaggio is unbeaten in both her starts, last seen coming back from a small setback to land the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes over 6f at Newmarket.
She is a very exciting prospect for the yard and although slight worries if she will stay the mile trip, she has to be taken seriously.
He said: "There's every chance Tenebrism will stay the Guineas trip. She worked very well after racing at the Curragh on Saturday. We went a very good gallop in front of her for seven and a half furlongs and she picked up very well and ran home strongly. You'd have to be very impressed with what she has done so far."