News 'Most roads open now' for superstar Minding after Nassau glory

'Most roads open now' for superstar Minding after Nassau glory

racing

Minding is "ready to go down most roads" following her bloodless triumph over Queen's Trust in the Qatar Nassau Stakes at Goodwood.

Having dominated the Group One fillies' races between a mile and a mile and a half, the Aidan O'Brien-trained daughter of Galileo found the mile and a quarter of the traditional final-day highlight ideal as she swept aside Queen's Trust for her sixth victory at the top level.

Ryan Moore let the 1-5 favourite's professionalism shine through as she overpowered Swiss Range and then maintained a decisive advantage over the 16-1 runner-up, although it took a few strides to fully do so.

A length and a quarter was the winning margin, and O'Brien said: "We've been very happy with her at home and she's thrived from race to race. Physically, she's getting stronger, and she has a super mind. She loves racing.

"It can get messy in those small fields, but Ryan handled it great. He said she did what she had to do and has become very professional. She knows when she has to go there, it's marvellous and what you look for in a horse.

"We can now look at York and the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, but there is also France - she's probably ready to go down most roads. She's very versatile - a mile, a mile and a quarter and a mile and a half all come alike to her.

"She has a lot of options open to her. She's ready to go into most slots now - she doesn't have to (take on the colts) if the lads decide not to, but she's probably ready to step into different company now if she wants.

"It's great to have her, and great she doesn't mind running often."

He added: "This is a great filly. She has danced every dance. She was special as a two-year-old, won well in the 1000 Guineas and has kept on progressing. She gets a mile and a quarter very well but when she gets there, she doesn't do much more so it is difficult to assess her."

Asked about the possibility of Minding staying in training, O'Brien said: "The lads love their racing and I imagine if she is well there would be a chance. Everyone gets a lot of enjoyment out of her. I think there is a good chance."

Moore, securing top rider honours for the week, said: "It was always going to be a messy sort of race today. It was just a case of keeping it as simple as we could, she has an awful lot of class and was only doing what she had to do.

"She's a very special filly to keep coming back like she does, she's run in seven Group Ones and won six of them.

"It's hard to compare (horses), it's hard to know how good she is, she's doing it over a variety of trips and only does what she has to do.

"The ground is actually a bit loose and it's just on the easy side. I think she would rather it nicer.

"It was always going to be that way today - it was messy. I'm not sure about the Arc (run this year at Chantilly) - we'll see what Aidan says afterwards. It's a long way away - we'll just enjoy today first."

Sir Michael Stoute was delighted with Queen's Trust and said: "She's run a blinder and has been out of luck. She should have won at Newbury and was badly drawn in the Ribblesdale. She will now head for the Galtres (at York)."

Chris Richardson, for owners Cheveley Park Stud, added: "She has a lot of ability and has been very unlucky, coming from a long way back at Royal Ascot."