Tate hoping to reach for the Stars in Guineas

Mile trip expected to suit in fillies’ Classic.

James Tate expects Under The Stars to take a step up to a mile in her stride when she gets her chance in the Qipco 1000 Guineas.

The Newmarket handler reports Under The Stars to be in top form and to have strengthened up over the winter.

With her sire – 2014 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder – and dam Jumeirah Palm Star both victorious over a mile, Tate believes the Saeed Manana-owned filly is well equipped to see out the new trip.

He said: “Under The Stars is waiting for the 1000 Guineas, whenever that is going to be.

“The filly has strengthened during the winter and is in great form. She is jumping around and her coat looks fantastic.

“I think she will run well in the Guineas, as she has that great cruising speed and travels well and therefore the mile should be no problem.”

Having claimed Group Three glory in the Princess Margaret Stakes at Ascot on her second start, Under The Stars followed up with creditable runs in defeat at Group One and Two level before ending last season on a winning note in a sales race at Newmarket.

Tate added: “She did well to win the Princess Margaret on her second start and acquitted herself well in defeat in the Moyglare and Rockfel.

“Right now her optimum trip would be seven furlongs, but I would be very surprised if she didn’t get a mile – the drop back to six on her last start would have been sharp enough.

“It was a case of where to go and it was a good opportunity to win GBP 80,000 and in her typical fashion she only just won – she doesn’t do much in front.”

A Guineas outing for stablemate Magical Journey looks unlikely given concerns over her getting the trip.

Tate said: “Magical Journey works very well, but the big question about her is the trip as she won over five furlongs at Beverley first time out

“She should have won a six-furlong Listed race at Newmarket on her second start, but the winner crossed in front of her.

“I wanted to run her in a Classic trial over seven to see if there was a chance of getting a mile, so we won’t be going up from six to a mile with her first time out.”

Tate is keen to continue taking small steps with impressive Kempton scorer Sky Commander, after all but ruling him out of the 2000 Guineas.

He said: “I wanted to run him in a novice just before racing was suspended, then have a crack at the Burradon Stakes at Newcastle and then if he won that have a go at the Guineas.

“He won well at Kempton, but I think he needs two more runs before we step him up into a really good race so that rules him out the Guineas.

“He has got a lot of raw raw talent and I do think he is a stakes horse.”

Dream Shot acquitted himself well at Pattern-race level on more than one occasion last year without winning, ending his season with a run in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Santa Anita. Tate hopes he still has more to offer.

He said: “He has been great considering he was a cheap as chips purchase. He is Listed, Group Three and Group Two-placed and ran well at the Breeders’ Cup on his last start.

“He seems to have improved physically, and hopefully he will be a fun sprinter.”

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