Sport : Horse Racing

O'BRIEN: MAYBE NO SOFT TOUCH

5th May 2012, 05:43pm

Maybe: Ticks all the right boxes

Maybe: Ticks all the right boxes

Trainer Aidan O'Brien does not expect the rain-softened ground to trouble the unbeaten Maybe as she shoots for Classic glory in Sunday's Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

After making a winning debut at Naas a year ago, the tough filly was successful on four more occasions, rounding off the year with victory in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in August.

Connections deliberately gave Maybe an extended winter break to ensure she would be ready to make her three-year-old debut at Newmarket.

"We were very happy with her last year and we've been watching this race for a long time now," said O'Brien.

"Everything has gone well so far and we're very happy.

"She had five races in a short enough space of time, so we didn't want to over-push her.

"We wanted to give her an early break for her winter so we could start early this year and, so far, everything has worked well.

"I don't think she has a big preference for ground. She's by Galileo and they seem to go on anything.

"You're never sure about the dip in Newmarket. It's an unusual place and until you go and race there you're never sure.

"But she's a high cruiser and hopefully that will be a help to her. She always was a very exciting filly," the Ballydoyle trainer told British Champions Series TV.

It promises to be a huge weekend for the trainer's son, Joseph, who gets the leg-up on this filly 24 hours after partnering 2000 Guineas favourite Camelot.

The talented young rider believes Maybe ticks all the right boxes.

"She's uncomplicated, she's relaxed, she has a great attitude and she has plenty of class," he told At The Races.

"You'd imagine she'll get a mile and a bit further in time. We're looking forward to her."

O'Brien also saddles Homecoming Queen.

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