Morrison: Tall order for Coquet
Trainer Hughie Morrison has not had the easiest few weeks prepararing Coquet for her racecourse return at Goodwood on Thursday.
Last Updated: 23/05/12 1:23pm
Hughie Morrison admits he has not had the easiest few weeks prepararing Coquet for her racecourse return, but finally has his exciting filly back in competition in Thursday's Height of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood.
Coquet still holds an entry in the Investec Oaks due to a fine two-year-old campaign which saw her win her final two starts, a maiden at Wolverhampton and the Listed Montrose Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket.
Robert Havlin takes the mount on the daughter of Sir Percy in an interesting mile-and-a-quarter contest, where she must take on John Gosden's Gathering among six rivals.
"She wintered well but she didn't enjoy the cold, wet spring, so I had to back off her a bit," Morrison said.
"I probably maybe had to rush her a bit to get her ready for this, so I'd say she'll come on for the run.
"She's a fairly straightforward, tough horse and as long as she stays a mile and a quarter, there should be some fun to be had.
"I'd be surprised if she was ready enough to win, but you never know, and that's why I left her in the Oaks."
Ready to go
John Gosden's Gathering is also making her 2012 bow, having finished her juvenile season with an assured victory at Newmarket in September.
Gosden said: "She has taken time to come to herself this spring but she's now ready for a run."
The remaining quintet have already been seen in action.
Roger Charlton's Estrela was third behind Vow in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, but finished comfortably in front of fifth-placed Zimira, who has also been declared by Ed Dunlop.
"Like many people, we are continuing the pursuit of getting black type," said Charlton.
"She had the run of the race in front at Lingfield but we just thought she might be better suited by a mile and a quarter, rather than a mile and a half.
"Maybe she just wasn't good enough, but she didn't quite finish her race off at Lingfield.
"It will be interesting to see how she gets on."
Gerard Butler is represented by Zaina, who was a late starter in making her debut last December.
She broke her duck on her third start at Doncaster in March, beating subsequent winner and Derby outsider Minimise Risk.
"We've been waiting for the ground and I hope she gets some good ground there," said Butler.
"She fits into the race quite nicely, she's a nice progressive filly and I hope she'll give a good run.
"She is entered in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot. If she ran well, you'd look to go there, but she would need to run well."
Godolphin's Minidress, who ran scratchily on her reappearance at Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket, completes the field with Nayarra, produced by Mick Channon to finish ninth in the 1000 Guineas.