7 out of 7 for Baaeed

The brilliant Baaeed made it seven out of seven during his short career when producing an imperious display in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday. Absent since winning the QEII Stakes at Ascot last Autumn, the son of Sea The Stars had shone in a piece of work at Chelmsford recently and transferred that to the racecourse at the Berkshire venue. Jim Crowley positioned his mount close to the pace set by Chindit before taking over with a furlong to run. Pushed clear he barely came off the bridle to win readily by three and a quarter lengths. William Haggas indicated the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot will be next for his stable star before the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. Then, all being well, Baaeed will tackle ten furlongs for the first time in the Juddmonte International at York. Bred to improve over ten furlongs, he is a superstar and has been handled superbly by the Somerville Lodge team. Indeed, it was a red letter day for the Haggas outfit with 4 winners and two places from six runners on Saturday. 

I was working for Racing TV at Haydock last month when Nashwa lost her maiden tag in impressive fashion in a fillies' novice stakes over a mile. The daughter of Frankel made a smooth transition into Pattern company when following up in the Listed event at Newbury on Saturday. Held up by Hollie Doyle, the Gosden trained filly made relentless progress on the outside in the homestraight before sprinting clear to win by nearly two lengths. Ten furlongs looks ideal for her at present and she looks set to play a leading role in the French Oaks at Chantilly (19th June). It is worth noting she was entered for the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe in October earlier this week. She is a smart filly and a potential Group 1 winner. 

The runner-up Stay Alert is capable of going one better in such a grade. While she couldn't match the winner's turn of foot, Hughie Morrison's filly kept on well in the closing stages and will appreciate the return to a mile and half. Successful over that distance at Wolverhampton on her previous start, she is bred to stay well - sister/half-sister to talented performers Stag Horn and Star Rock - and is one to follow this summer and beyond. One could envisage her winning something like the Listed Galtres Stakes at York (18th August).