Fans of the International Turf have been fretting and fuming at the drastic changes wrought in the fabric of horse racing by the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic. While Indian racing has gone completely dark from just after 8 p.m. on March 12th when Twinspire held off Blazing Bay at Mahalakshmi, foreign jurisdictions have continued – occasionally with a gap – with putting on the show. 

The major difference is that all such action is conducted spectator-free and under strict health protocols. As this column had pointed out in an earlier piece, racing action “behind closed doors” can only be successful if online wagering systems are in place and operational. 

After suffering many hiccups, racing in Britain was given the go-ahead by the British Government with effect from June 1st and the sport resumed at Newcastle last Monday, June 1st, with a packed 10-race card. In view of the unusual circumstances, the Guineas – postponed from early May – have been programmed in the very first week after resumption.

The Qipco 2000 Guineas is scheduled to be run at 3:35 p.m. (8:05 p.m. in India) on Saturday, June 6th, over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, with the fillies’ counterpart following on the same track exactly 24 hours later. Both classics have drawn 15 runners apiece and obviously all 30 runners – if they take their place in the starting gates – will be making their seasonal debuts, as there has been no opportunity for a “prep” race.

Rated by Timeform’s Racehorses of 2019 as the best two-year-old since the similarly unbeaten The Tetrarch, way back in 1913, Pinatubo (by Shamardal) is the most exciting classic prospect for many a year! His mark of 134 puts him 14 points clear of Kameko (by Kitten’s Joy), the next in the list. In fact, Timeform has selected Pinatubo as “Horse of the Year”, a rare accolade for a two-year-old. Tutored by Charlie Appleby, the Godolphin homebred will be steered by William Buick. Reports from morning-work watchers in Newmarket suggest the colt, currently at 6 to 5 on, is in sizzling form and barring accidents is as good a certainty as you will ever find in the sport. 

Andrew Balding’s Kameko is also in the field and has the services of the outstanding Oisin Murphy, his regular pilot, in the saddle. One has to say he has a small chance as he has been improving with every start and has “the scope to train on”. This team can be calculated to exploit any putative chink in the favourite’s armour. The colt is available at 7 to 1.

Coolmore’s schooler Aidan O’Brien holds a record that is unlikely to be equalled, leave alone beaten, with 10previous winners of the 2000 Guineas over a period of 22years! His last three to gain the honours, namely Churchill, Saxon Warrior and Magna Grecia, all scored without having been seen at 3 in public prior to their runs in the “2000”, which augurs well for his quartet, made up of Arizona and Wichita (both by No Nay Never), along with New World Tapestry (by War Front) and Royal Dornoch (by Gleneagles). 

Ryan Moore has chosen the 11 to 2 first-named, who has more than a couple of lengths to find vis-à-vis Pinatubo, based on their Dewhurst Stakes clash at “Headquarters” last October. With no Gosden entries, Frankie Dettori was perhaps figuring out whom to ride in the race when he got a call-up for Wichita, third in the Dewhurst, who has an extra 3 lengths or so to make up over the leading pair at 12 to 1. 

Both Royal Dornoch (33 to 1, with Tom Marquand on board) and New World Tapestry (80 to 1, entrusted to Adam Kirby) are fully exposed and unlikely to trouble the judge at the wire. Discerning readers will have noted that Aidan O’Brien has employed only U.K.-based riders, as Irish-based riders would have to go into quarantine for 14 days on return.

It will rank as one of the all-time surprises on the Turf if Pinatubo fails to uphold his superiority. 

Sunday afternoon’s feature, restricted to fillies, differs from the open version in that it does not have a clearly superior runner. It does however showcase an unbeaten two-year-old in Prince Khalid Abdullah’s Quadrilateral(by Frankel), the 5 to 2 public choice, who will square off against Aidan O’Brien’s 7 to 2 shot, Love (by Galileo) and Jessica Harrington’s highly-rated Millisle (by Starspangledbanner), probably an overlay at 5 to 1.

The first-named hails from the Beckhampton Stables of Roger Charlton, who previously schooled Epsom Derby winner Quest For Fame for Prince Khalid. As Charlton is a patient sort, who brings his runners along gradually, his wards generally improve considerably from age 2 to age 3, which is a point in her favour. As is the fact that her sire’s get do likewise. Hopefully Quadrilateral, a Gr.1 winner of 3-from-3 can win and thus help erase some of the pain Juddmonte connections must be feeling at the untimely loss of their star Arrogate (by Unbridled’s Song) in Kentucky a few days ago.

Highest on the ratings is Millisle who emulates the favourite in that both have valuable experience on the course. The Cheveley Park Stakes victress has many doubting her stamina. Both the skill of her trainer and her bloodlines suggest a mile will not be too far. Her regular partner, Shane Foley, is alas marooned in Ireland but his replacement, 2019 champion jockey Oisin Murphy, is no mere substitute – he can well be called a “super-sub”!

“All you need is love” went the opening refrain of a famous Beatles tune and Aidan O’Brien relies solely on Love to deliver the goods. Usually he is at least double-handed – as mentioned above, in the “2000” he has four engaged – but the strength of his fillies from the 2017 crop is below par. Love will have to improve by 8 to 10 pounds, not too much of an ask from a progeny of Galileo! Ryan Moore will be at the controls on this 7 to 2 second favourite. 

Only one other contender looks to have a sliver of achance and that is Raffle Prize (by Slade Power). Although she will probably turn out to be a sprinter, as her pedigree and front-running style suggest, she has the class and foundation to take them on and who knows, pull off an upset. Mark Johnston is sure to have the 10 to 1 outsider ready to go, with Mickael Barzalona venturing outside France where he has been in good nick.