Hydrangea

21st-Oct-2017

We don’t know that Hydrangea will stay the trip, she has never been beyond 10 furlongs, but she stayed 10 furlongs well in the Prix de l’Opera last time, she was only just beaten by her classy stable companion Rhododendron, and she is by Galileo, which gives her every chance.

Her dam was a sprinter, but she is a full-sister to The United States, who won a Group 2 race at Moonee Valley over a mile and a half, and to Buonarroti, who won a handicap over a mile and seven furlongs at Ayr just last week.

Hydrangea is a high-class filly, she has beaten dual Guineas winner Winter twice this season, most recently in the Group 1 Matron Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown, and her run in the Opera was probably at least as good as that run.  She has had plenty of racing, but she continues to progress.  Also, she handles soft ground and she ran well to finish third in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot in June on her only run at the track.  She is trained by Aidan O’Brien and she will be ridden by Ryan Moore.  She has a lot in her favour and she is over-priced in my book at 7/1.

HYDRANGEA WON (ADV 7/1, SP 4/1)