‘Illusion’ takes to the Rowley Mile in delightful workout

Handling Newmarket’s downhill run into the dip is essential if a horse is going to be a realistic Guineas contender, and Godolphin’s Wild Illusion showed she will not be lacking on that score with a solid racecourse gallop before Wednesday’s card.

But trainer Charlie Appleby warned that the ground would be a factor in her participation in the G1 One Thousand Guineas on Sunday, 6 May, and a late call on whether she runs is a distinct possibility.

Wild Illusion, winner of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly, galloped on strongly to have the better of stablemate Night Castle, a Dubawi gelding who won his last two starts.

“It wasn’t the fitness angle we were looking at for Wild Illusion, it was the experience of running down into the dip on the Rowley Mile,” Appleby explained.

“They galloped seven furlongs, going steady the first three furlongs, then quickening up for the last half-mile.

“William (Buick) asked her to quicken downhill, and he was delighted the way she handled herself. The ground was beautiful for her — just on the easy side of Good,” he said.

“I have to say we are slightly ground dependent. We wouldn’t be running at Newmarket on quick ground. If it comes up quick here, obviously discussions would take place on whether we take our chance or wait and go to Paris for the G1 French 1,000 Guineas.

“Our priority is obviously the English Guineas, but we will keep an eye on the ground,” the trainer added.

Buick said Wild Illusion appeared to have wintered well. “It was a perfect piece of work for her,” he said.

“First time into the dip, some horses can get lost.  But she’s well co-ordinated and she has racing nous,” he said.