Leading British trainer Andrew Balding is looking to send his Group One winning filly Alcohol Free to the 1000 Guineas in May but first she will need to shed her winter coat before her prep run.
The daughter of No Nay Never cost €40,000 and looks a bargain for what she has shown so far, getting off the mark on debut at Newbury on good to soft with the second place winning next time out to frank the form.
The filly also franked that form when a bold second at Salisbury behind Happy Romance in a Group Three, with the two of them outclassing the field.
Alcohol Free now seemed to have felt like the penny had dropped in that event and she improved massively last time out to go on and win the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket.
Balding is looking forward to this season with her and he is hoping she can get that elusive mile in the 1000 Guineas, but will firstly look to start her off at Newbury in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Stakes in April.
(Credit ATR) “I’m delighted with her – the only problem is she’s still wearing her winter collection at the moment,” Balding said.
Alcohol Free holds them all off 👏
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 26, 2020
Group One glory for @AndrewBalding2 & @oismurphy as Alcohol Free wins a thrilling @JuddmonteFarms Cheveley Park Stakes in the Jeff Smith colours at @NewmarketRace
Results & free replays ➡ https://t.co/sBcsavHpYf pic.twitter.com/5aIlBqUprL
“I’m just hoping the coat starts to shift – which it should do, with the weather we’ve got forecast over the next week.
“I’d hope to see a change in that, but she’s been showing all her usual ability in her work.
“She’s done two fast pieces of work, and I’m really pleased where we’re at in terms of her fitness levels and well-being – apart from the coat being a bit woolly.”
If she has not come one enough before her first start date on April 17th, the Kingsclere handler will be happy to send her straight to Newmarket instead.
“The plan was to run in the Fred Darling as a prep for the Guineas,” he added.
“I think it’s important with her to hopefully have a run before going a mile – but if she’s not ready in time we’ll go straight to Newmarket.
“That has always been the plan, and she relaxes so well – certainly at home.
“It gives her a chance of getting a mile, but if we can get a race in as a prep to make sure she does settle that would be to her advantage.”