Leading Fillies With Big Reputations Ahead Of The 2010 Flat Season

Below are profiles of several of the leading two year old fillies that are likely to contest the 1000 guineas and possibly the Epsom Oaks in 2010. The truth is that there have been very few juvenile fillies that have captured the imagination and next season could see a rather sub-standard set of Fillies Classics. That said, it is often the case that fillies come on much stronger as three year olds, meaning that we may have to wait until the Spring to see the true strength of competition.

The two stand outs so far are both French, Special Duty, current favourite for the 1000 Guineas and Rosanara, head of the 2010 Epsom Oaks antepost market.

Special Duty - 1212

Trained by Criquette Head in France, this filly was a highly impressive winner of the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket. It was a race that launched her to the top of the antepost market for the 1000 Guineas, where she is currently as short as 5/1. The Cheveley Park Stakes was won in 2007 by another French filly which went on to win the 1000 Guineas the following season.

Interestingly, Special Duty could only manage second place behind current 2000 Guineas second favourite, Arcano. She lost that race by a short neck but was a neck ahead of another leading two year old colt, Canford Cliffs. She has a current RPR of 117

Lillie Langtry - 131212

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, this filly is a consistent sort who has won three of her six starts including the Group Two Debutante Stakes at Leopardstown in August. Before that she had won with great credit, if not a bit green at Royal Ascot where she was second behind Habaayib in the Group Three Albany Stakes. It may surprise many to know that trainer, Aidan O'Brien, despite his success 's in the 2000 Guineas, has only won the 1000 Guineas, once. NO RPR

Cabaret - 0112

Winner of the Group Three Silver Flash Stakes at Leopardstown in July, this filly ran inexplicably poorly in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc de Triomphe day. Connections are keen to draw a line through that performance and have suggested that she will come back to her best as a three year old. At present however she has to be regarded as second string to Lillie Langtry from the Ballydoyle stable. RPR 106

Rosanara -11

Owned by the Aga Khan and trained by Alain de Roger-Dupre, this super looking filly was very impressive when winning the Group one Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on Arc de Triomphe day. She has already been likened to the great and unbeaten 2008 Arc winner, Zarkava, who herself won the Prix Marcel Boussac in her juvenile season of 2007. It is more likely that she will be kept in France to run the French 1000 Guineas, but she is the current favourite to win the Epsom Oaks at a massive 16/1. RPR 114

Hibaayeb - 1223

Winner of the Group One Meon Valley Stud Fillies Mile at Ascot in September, this Clive Brittain trained filly has some taken some notable scalps in her short career so far, including the highly regarded Youll Be Mine from the Aidan O'Brien yard. She was also in front of the Luca Cumani star, Seta when second to Pollenator in the Group Two May Hill Stakes on St Leger Day. RPR 107