Desert Flower blooms with impressive Newmarket debut

Nick Robson
July 13, 2024 1:19 pm

Appleby: ‘She’s a filly that has obviously got natural ability but is still very raw.’

Desert Flower earned quotes for the 1000 Guineas with a stylish debut performance in the Rossdales British EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket.

Trainer Charlie Appleby was winning the seven-furlong maiden for the fifth time in eight years, this time with a daughter of Night Of Thunder.

The money came late for Ollie Sangster’s Flight, ridden by Ryan Moore – and they made a bold bid for home.

But William Buick was able to move stylishly into contention going into the dip before pulling away nicely to win by three and a quarter lengths at 5-2.

Betfair and Paddy Power introduced her into the 1000 Guineas betting at 33-1.

Appleby said: “They’ve done a great job with her because we couldn’t get her in the stalls a couple of weeks ago – and when she did eventually go in, she didn’t want to come out!

Desert Flower made a nice winning debut (Nigel French/PA)

“She’s a filly that has obviously got natural ability but is still very raw. William said he was surprised she was able to win today. He sat on her the other day and said he liked her and she was ready to run, but he was surprised how she came into the race.

“I don’t want to say anything too bold but she’ll appreciate stepping up to a mile, she appreciated the conditions and we might work back from something like the May Hill, but there’s water to go under the bridge before then.

“It was a nice performance and there will be marked improvement because she’s been so raw at home. It was nice to see her pick up when she met the rising ground and go away, there’s a lot of potential there.”