Mammas Girl upsets Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket
On a day of upsets in leading British races, the unheralded Mammas Girl won her stakes debut and first start of 2023 in Wednesday’s Group 3 Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse.
The win moved Mammas Girl closer to the top of the list of contenders for the Group 1 English 1000 Guineas at a mile for 3-year-old fillies at Newmarket on May 7.
Ridden by Sean Levey for trainer Richard Hannon, Mammas Girl ($34.20 in American pools) stormed to the front on the inside rail in the final furlong of the $99,500 Nell Gwyn Stakes at seven furlongs to win by a widening 2 ¾ lengths over 4-1 Fairy Cross in a field of 15.
Coppice, the 3-2 favorite and mount of Frankie Dettori, was never a serious threat. Coppice was three lengths behind the leaders with three furlongs remaining, while racing on the opposite side of the track from Mammas Girl. Coppice faded late to finish 10th by 9 ¾ lengths.
Mammas Girl, by Havana Grey, won an allowance race at seven furlongs for 2-year-old fillies at Newmarket in her only previous start last October.
Earlier at Newmarket, Canberra Legend, who is nominated for the Group 1 English 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6 and the Group 1 English Derby at Epsom Downs on June 3, remained unbeaten in two starts with a half-length win in the $62,200 Feilden Stakes for 3-year-olds at 1 1/8 miles, a listed class race.
Canberra Legend, ridden by Daniel Muscutt for trainer James Ferguson, closed from a stalking position to catch 17-1 Kolsai in the final strides. Canberra Legend paid $19.20.
By Australia, Canberra Legend won his debut in an allowance race for 3-year-olds at a mile on the all-weather track at Newcastle on Feb. 20.
Ferguson told the press that Canberra Legend will be considered for the Group 2 Dante Stakes at 1 ¼ miles at York on May 18, a key prep for the English Derby at 1 ½ miles.
Newmarket had the most prestigious program of four venues in action in England on Wednesday.
In the west of the country, Cheltenham ran a seven-race program highlighted by the $87,100 Silver Trophy Handicap Chase at 2 9/16 miles.
Caribean Boy, who underwent breathing operations after losses in December and January, rallied from off the pace to record an upset win under jockey Daryl Jacob.
A 9-year-old French-bred gelding, Caribean Boy ($62.40) closed from sixth-place at the second-to-last fence to take the lead after the final fence. Caribean Boy won by four lengths over 6-1 Gemirande.
Super Six (10-1) finished a half-length behind Gemirande, but was promoted to second after the stewards ruled that Super Six was denied racing room in the final furlong. Gemirande was demoted to third. Heltenham, the 8-5 favorite, fell at the sixth of 17 fences, but quickly rose and ran off.
Caribean Boy, trained by Nicky Henderson, has won 5 of 22 starts. The Silver Trophy Handicap Chase was his first win in four starts since January 2022.
Caribean Boy was the first of three surprise winners on the Cheltenham program, followed by Willaston ($78.40) in a handicap hurdle at 2 5/16 miles and Madera Mist ($32.40) in a handicap chase at 3 ½ miles.
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