2000 Guineas 2007
The 2000 Guineas for 2007 saw Cockney Rebel, ridden by Frenchman Olivier Peslier and trained by Geoff Huffer, thunder to victory a length-and-a-half ahead of Vital Equine, in front of 17,000 spectators.
Cockney Rebel entered the race at odds of 25/1 – a relative outsider in comparison to antepost favourite US Ranger (5/2), Haatef (7/2), Adagio (4/1), and Diamond Tycoon (15/2). Cockney Rebel’s achievement of a third place in the Champagne States at York was one of the few earlier clues of this colt’s potential. Cockney Rebel is named after the backing band of veteran pop star, Steve Harley.
In the 2000 Guineas 2007 race, jockey Peslier started by keeping Cockney Rebel to the rear. Three furlongs out, he gave the horse his go-ahead, and Cockney Rebel made up the ground and thundered into the lead, past front-running Vital Equine.
Jockey Peslier said: “I did think ‘maybe I’ve come too soon’ but the horse just didn’t stop and kept going to win well.”
In the winner’s enclosure at the Rowley Mile, trainer Geoff Huffer said: “I’ve had a bit of a chequered career - and this means everything to me.”
Vital Equine, trained by Eoghan O’Neill and ridden by Chris Catlin, put in a brave performance, keeping front position well into the race.
Trainer Eoghan O’Neill said: “It was his first run of the year and I think he has done very well. Chris Catlin gave him a super ride. The plan was to jump out and take the sting out of them. We’ve done that with the exception of one horse.”
Dutch Art, jockeyed by Jimmy Fortune and trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, took third place in the 2000 Guineas 2007 race, restoring his reputation after earlier losing out on a win at Greenham. Chapple-Hyam said: “Reputation restored. That was a great run and Jimmy Fortune gave him a great ride.”
For full details of standings for the 2000 Guineas 2007 race, see 2000 Guineas 2007 results.
Other Notable Finishes on 2000 Guineas Day
On the day of the 2000 Guineas 2007, six other supporting races were run.
There were two particularly notable finishes. The filly Echelon, jockeyed by K McEvoy and trained by Sir Michael Stoute, proved her potential by taking the StanJamesUK.com Dahlia Stakes in style. For 2008, fans will be looking to the McEvoy and Stoute combination for further victories.
Salford Mill, also ridden by McEvoy but trained by DRC Elsworth, gained an impressive victory in the StansPoker.co.uk Newmarket Stakes.
Who do you think will take the 2000 Guineas at its 201st running in 2009?
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