Mother Earth Takes on Empress Josephine in Coronation
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Photo: Edward Whitaker/Racing Post
Mother Earth wins the One Thousand Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse
Classic winners Mother Earth and Empress Josephine provide Aidan O'Brien with an enviable hand as he bids to win the Coronation Stakes (G1) for a fourth time.
There does not appear to be a huge deal between Mother Earth, who made a triumphant reappearance in the QIPCO One Thousand Guineas (G1) at Newmarket and Empress Josephine, winner of the Irish equivalent, the Tattersalls Irish One Thousand Guineas (G1).
Mother Earth has been to France and finished second in the (Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, G1) One Thousand Guineas at Longchamp since, but that defeat was inflicted on very soft ground, the opposite of what she encountered at Newmarket.
On that occasion, Mother Earth pulled well clear of today's rivals Fev Rover and Alcohol Free , but the case could be made that this race is her toughest assignment yet.
Empress Josephine after her win in the Irish One Thousand Guineas at the Curragh
Stablemate Empress Josephine is on the up and is clearly open to any amount of improvement after her Irish One Thousand Guineas triumph. She is one of many dangers to the mount of Ryan Moore.
O'Brien reports both fillies to have come out of their latest assignments in rude health and he is predicting a bold show from both.
He said: "Both fillies are in very good form, and we are looking forward to the race with them. Mother Earth has been in good form since France. She seems to have come out of the race well."
"Empress Josephine is progressing nicely and has come out of the Curragh well. She hasn't done a lot since but she seems to have taken the race well."
'We are Flying Under the Radar'
Given Jessica Harrington has won this race twice in the past three seasons, it may be remiss of some bookmakers to have Oodnadatta , the trainer's sole runner in this year's event, chalked up as the rank outsider.
It is early days, but Oodnadatta does not appear to be the next Alpha Centauri or Alpine Star, both fillies having lit up the royal meeting with recent victories in this race for Harrington.
However, the filly does boast strong juvenile form, exemplified by her Moyglare Stud Stakes (G1) third behind Shale at the Curragh last season.
Harrington may be throwing Oodnadatta in at the deep end on her seasonal reappearance, but the filly has run well fresh in the past.
Discussing her chances of causing a shock, Harrington said: "We are flying under the radar. She just came in late and was slow to come to herself but she always runs well fresh.
"She had a big break before she ran well in the Moyglare as well. We just don't need any more rain. If the ground is good we'll be happy."