Michael Jarvis remained guarded about the chances of Vista Bella running in the 1000 Guineas after she battled to a short-head victory in a thrilling finish to the Passport2Sport.co.uk Masaka Stakes at Kempton today.
Philip Robinson had Sheikh Mohammed’s filly (7-2) settled in third off the bend in the mile contest before she knuckled down to work.
Having looked beaten a furlong from home, she got back up in the dying strides to beat Joint Aspiration and Borthwick Girl, who were also separated by a short head.
The unbeaten twice-raced filly may yet make the UltimatePoker.com-sponsored Classic, for which she received a 33-1 quote from both Victor Chandler and the Tote.
Jarvis, said: “I will have to speak to the powers that be and see how Godolphin’s trials pan out (in Dubai).
“She is still learning, but I was pleased with the way she buckled down in the last 50 yards. She never even worked last year and we have only started training her this winter, but it seems as if she is making up for lost time.”
Rebel Rebel barely caused a ripple in the betting for the UltimatePoker.com 2000 Guineas after powering to a head victory in the Listed Passport2Sport.co.uk Easter Stakes.
Neville Callaghan’s strapping son of Revoque did not settle particularly well early on under Oscar Urbina as Leo’s Lucky Star set the pace with Capable Guest.
However, as Leo’s Lucky Star faded inside the final furlong, the complexion of the race changed and Rebel Rebel wore down Capable Guest in the second thrilling finish of the day for the large holiday crowd to enjoy.
The winning Newmarket trainer was unmoved by a quote of 50-1 with Coral for the Classic.
“He wants a mile and a quarter, though he’s in the Guineas. We’ll probably take our chance there and he will go up in distance after that,” he said.
“I’m sure we will enter him for the Craven Stakes – more out of curiosity - but the Feilden Stakes might be the better race for him. Anything above the mile will be in his favour.
“We were worried about the soft ground (officially good to soft), but Kempton have done a good job. Fast ground doesn’t bother him either.”