Johnb’s big race preview: The Moyglare Stud Stakes

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THE big five 2-year-old fillies for next year's Classics could line up for a vintage Moyglare Stud Stakes on Sunday.

The Moyglare Stud Stakes could see five of the hottest 2yo fillies – Clemmie, Magical, Happily, Alpha Centauri and September – battle it out for the bragging rights for next season's Classic races and I've already tipped two of them for the 1000 Guineas and The Oaks.

The Moyglare Stud Stakes is named after its long-term sponsor, Moyglare Stud. It was formerly contested over 6 furlongs and for a period it held Group 3 status. It was promoted to Group 2 level in 1979 and to Group 1 in 1983. Its distance was extended to 7 furlongs in 1992.

The Moyglare Stud Stakes became part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge series in 2009. The winner of the race now earns an automatic invitation to compete in the same year's Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf.

First up is my antepost selection for the 1000 Guineas:

Clemmie

Was advised at 25-1 but is now as low as 5-1. She was third on debut at the Curragh but impressed me. She was last out the stalls, held up and was having to be encouraged by Ryan Moore, it wasn't till Ryan pulled her out towards the stands side that the penny dropped and she made up a lot of ground to be beaten a head and.

But I still thought there was plenty left in the tank, her second run was in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot where she came seventh. I still liked that run as she was on the wrong side of the track and wasn't asked to do too much by Ryan Moore.

Clemmie won her next two races to justify my faith in her, at the Curragh some people weren't too impressed with what she had beat but she did it well as she was in front from a long way and won with plenty in hand.

But it wasn't until her last run that people started to take notice, she beat Nyaleti at Newmarket and did it impressively. She is improving with every run, physically she is impressive and she looks like she will be stronger and quicker next year plus Ryan Moore has said Clemmie is the best 2yo we have seen this year but I have been confident for months now.

Magical

My antepost selection for The Oaks at 33-1 but she is as low as 8-1 now. Magical has run three times, winning two and second on debut but again it wasn't until her latest run that people started to take notice.

She was beaten half a length by a 4-7 favourite, she should have won but was given just a hands and heels ride by Ryan Moore.

It was one of the most impressive second place finishes ever, next time she had a narrow win at Cork, some weren't impressed but I could see there was plenty future improvement in her. It was Magical's latest run that really stands out when she beat two of Coolmore's fancied horses in Happily and September.

Magical made all and found plenty late on and winning a bit easily, she has looked a filly that will thrive going further and she is a worthy favourite for The Oaks.

September

This is a horse that was at the top of next seasons Classics but I wasn't too impressed with. Her breeding gives an indication that she won't train on next year and her physical appearance doesn't impress me like Clemmie and Magical do.

September won her first two races quite impressively but she was put in her place last time by Magical. Maybe it was the ground or maybe she isn't as good as people were making out, my opinion is that she is a good horse but not a great horse. I couldn't rule her out but I still think we are seeing the best of her this year.

Happily

The fourth Aidan O'Brien horse. Being a full sister to Gleneagles she was always going to have a lot to live up to but she is producing.

Happily was seventh on debut beaten 10 lengths by September but she turned the tables on September last time when 2 lengths clear of her. While she comes with a lot of expectation I think she could come up a bit short here.

Alpha Centauri

The next horse isn't from the O'Brien yard but trained by Jessica Harrington. Alpha Centauri has beaten the O'Brien trained Actress all three starts and was ahead of Clemmie at Ascot but we didn't see the real Clemmie that day which was evident when she was behind Actress.

Aidan O'Brien will know all about Alpha Centauri and I feel he isn't too concerned.

Muirin

Another that could be considered is the Eddie Lynam filly. Muirin is owned by Robert Moran who has had plenty of big-money offers for the horse who is one win from one run.

The owner says he simply wants to live the dream and trainer Eddie Lynam said: “Muirin is training well.” Even if it is still somewhere between possible and probable: obviously it is a big step up. It is being given strong consideration, the form of Muirin's maiden win is working out well with moderate third Punked – likely to be sold to race in the US – scoring easily since.

Race Summary

Muirin is interesting but it is a big step up against the best. She isn't without a chance but it would take a big improvement.

Alpha Centauri has shown good form, I feel she will come up short in a race to be dominated by Aidan O'Brien.

September I feel is down the pecking order for the Ballydoyle horses even though the bookies did have her as antepost favourite for next year's fillies classics.

That leaves the three horses, the three Ballydoyle horses that should give O'Brien another 1-2-3 with Happily, Magical and Clemmie. Out of these I think Happily will have to settle for third as Magical and Clemmie are the two horses that are improving with every run.

Magical already looks like she will want further and Clemmie is more speed and more speed than her full brother Churchill but she does look like the mile will be fine next year as she settles well in her races and this 7f now will be no problem.

I have said Clemmie is something special and Ryan Moore has said she is the best 2yo we have seen this year. She won't be 100% till next May but I can't see her getting beat here if running, Aidan O'Brien says Clemmie will likely run in the Moyglare – as long as the ground is not soft – in addition to two or three others potentially.

Johnb's Prediction

Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1), €350,000 added, 2yo only, 7f

• 1st CLEMMIE
• 2nd MAGICAL
• 3rd HAPPILY

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