Leading daughter of Frankel Snow Lantern made a big impression at Newbury on her seasonal debut on Sunday and looked to be heading to the 1000 Guineas off the back of it, but her trainer Richard Hannon this will not be the case and York's Dante meeting will be her next step.
Having been seen once as a juvenile last term finishing second in a smart event at Ascot, she bounced back for her first run of this season in a strong maiden over a mile and the extra furlong seemed to bring the best out of her.
Second favourite to Derab, who looks to be an exciting half brother to Enable, the filly went away from the boys in final stages to cement herself as a horse to follow this term.
The quick ground played to her strengths whilst also showing speed and stamina over her first try of a mile and it was one of the most taking performances in that division so far this season.
🚨 The exciting Snow Lantern will not run in the 1000 Guineas & will instead head to @yorkracecourse for the Dante meeting where she will take in either the Musidora or the Oaks Farm Stables Fillies' Stakes for @rhannonracing pic.twitter.com/k5s1NHLkbs
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 20, 2021
The 1000 Guineas this year looks there for the taking and she looked sure to be heading into the second Classic of the season, but York will be her next target with her heading into either the Group Three Musidora Stakes or the Listed Michael Seeley Stakes.
Hannon said on his website: “Following a discussion with connections, Snow Lantern will not be taking up her engagement in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and will instead be aimed for either the Group Three Musidora Stakes or the Listed Michael Seeley Stakes at York’s May meeting.
“With the Michael Seeley being run over a mile and the Musidora over a mile and a quarter, both of these races will give us options and gives her an extra couple of weeks.
“Either race will give us a good guide on where we stand for the rest of the season with her too. She holds entries in the Epsom Oaks and Prix de Diane, and these engagements will be dependant on her York performance.
“There are plenty of options coming up for her. She is a special filly, with a beautiful pedigree and has already proved an exciting prospect for her owner-breeders, Rockcliffe Stud”