Brittain dancing straight to Guineas with star Rizeena

Only with Guineas weekend so close could such a reaction be understood.

Clive Brittain was watching his stable star and 1000 Guineas second favourite Rizeena gallop to see whether a trial was required and what he saw left him dancing on the sidelines.

The 79-year-old was said to be planning to run his daughter of Iffraaj in Newbury’s Group 3 Dubai Duty Free Stakes three weeks before the Sunday classic but was left certain the run was surplus to requirements.

The Newmarket trainer said: “She worked so well this morning that I was doing a little jig afterwards. She doesn’t need a trial.”

Brittain is no stranger to success in the race having captured the prize with Pebbles and Sayyedati in 1984 and 1993 respectively.

However, he hasn’t tasted Group 1 victory since landing the Fillies’ Mile for the third time five years ago and despite a gradual and voluntary decline in numbers at Carlburg Stables there is a palpable belief that they could be heading back to the big time sooner rather than later.

Rizeena, now 6/1, shot to the top of many ante-post lists after lowering the colours of Ballydoyle’s Tapestry, now favourite for the race at 7/2, in the Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in September.

The Sheik Al Maktoum-owned filly kept on really well to deny Charlie Hills’ Kiyoshi, now 14/1 for the 1000 Gunieas, and Aidan O’Brien’s charge, justifying the high regard her trainer had held since she made her debut almost a year ago.

An extremely promising fifth place finish in that maiden was confirmed when scoring on her next three starts including a two length victory in the 23-runner Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot.

That was Rizeena’s last start over the minimum distance and after finishing in the frame at Newmarket and the Group 1 Prix Morny over a furlong longer she then produced the performance that triggered Brittain’s first return to the dance floor in the Moyglare.

Her last assignment ended in some disappointment when failing to justify favouritism as she tackled the Classic trip for the first time in the Fillies’ Mile but that runner-up finish to Chriselliam received a massive boost when the Hills horse stormed to victory at the Breeder’s Cup a month later.

Those wanting to see Brittain in full flow themselves may not have to wait too soon.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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