Burke’s Too Darn Hot fillies shine in Irish and German Classics
The formlines of the English 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) came to fore in two separate countries on Sunday, with the Karl Burke-trained Fallen Angel (3 f Too Darn Hot – Agnes Stewart by Lawman), who was last seen finishing a disappointing eighth when sent of favourite in the Newmarket Classic, bouncing back to triumph in the Irish equivalent.
Meanwhile, her stablemate, Darnation (3 f Too Darn Hot – Monday Monday by Galileo), another filly by Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot (Dubawi), who finished down the field in 14th at Newmarket, returned to form to land the German 1,000 Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) at Düsseldorf.
Returning to the scene of her most high-profile success as a juvenile, the Moyglare Stud Stakes winner (Gr 1, 7f), Fallen Angel was always travelling comfortably, slicing effortlessly through the field under Danny Tudhope. The filly hit the front with a furlong left to travel and she kept finding for pressure, eventually coming away two and three-quarters of a length ahead of A Lilac Rolla (Harry Angel), who was forced to surrender her unbeaten record.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained Opera Singer (Justify), winner of last season’s Prix Marcel Boussac (Gr 1, 1600m), delivered a solid performance on her seasonal debut, finishing a further two lengths away from the runner-up.
“I’m delighted.” trainer Karl Burke told Racing TV. “We weren’t too down after Newmarket. These things happen. She’d taken a step forward, more mentally than physically, before this race.
“The track made a big difference. It seems to play to her strengths. I need to discuss it with the owner what to do next. We could go to the Coronation Stakes or step her up in trip. She’s obviously going to be a strong stayer but she’s not short of speed.”
Tudhope added: “We saw the real Fallen Angel. I’m thrilled. It was a magnificent performance and it’s great to see her bounce back like that.
“She’s straightforward, stays well. She’s a relentless galloper with a huge engine so I didn’t want to complicate anything. She’s the best filly on the day. I never felt like I was in any danger at all. If anything she was just looking for a bit of company. I’m confident she’ll stay further than this.”
Raced by Clipper Logistics and bred by Branton Court Stud, Fallen Angel is out of the Group 2-winning and Group 1-placed mare Agnes Stewart (Lawman), herself a half-sister to Listed winner Sorrel (Dansili).
Fallen Angel caps off a lucrative weekend for British raiders at the Curragh, with Saturday’s Irish 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) going the way of the the Richard Hannon-trained Rosallion, who is by fellow Darley shuttler Blue Point (Shamardal)
In response to Sunday’s Group 1 win, Fallen Angel was cut to 7-2 favourite (from 12-1) by Paddy Power for the Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Royal Ascot on June 21, while Opera Singer was pushed out to 5-1 (from 10-3 favourite) for the Group 1.
Earlier in the afternoon, Darnation, a dual Group winner as a juvenile, added a third Group win to her record when she defeated fellow British raider Queues Likely (Massaat) by two and a quarter lengths. Three Havanas (Havana Grey) was the first German-trained runner home, finishing a further nose away in third.
Bred and raced by Newtown Anner Stud Farm, Darnation is out of the unraced Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare Monday Monday, who is herself a half-sister to dual Group 1-winning champion Blue Bunting (Dynaformer).
Fallen Angel and Darnation are among eight stakes for Too Darn Hot, a group that also includes Sydney’s Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Broadsiding.
Standing for £65,000 (approx. AU$124,100) at Darley’s Dalham Hall base, Too Darn Hot will return to Kelvinside this season where he will stand for an increased fee of $110,000 (inc GST), a huge hike from the $44,000 (inc GST) he stood for last year.
The sire of nine southern hemisphere-bred first-crop winners in total, who have earned $2,687,975 in prize-money, the regally-bred son of Dubawi (Dubai Millennium) is on track to be crowned Australia’s champion first-season sire this season.