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Midweek set for Sunday service in 1000 Guineas at Newmarket

NEWMARKET, ENGLAND - MAY 02: Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek smiles after her horse Special Duty wins The Stanjames.com 1000 Guineas Stakes at Newmarket race
Image: Criquette Head-Maarek: Trains 1000 Guineas hopeful Midweek

Criquette Head-Maarek is hoping lightning can strike twice with another daughter of Motivator as Midweek lines up in Sunday's Qipco 1000 Guineas.

The masterful French handler, who has won the Classic four times already with Ma Biche, Ravinella, Hatoof and Special Duty, trained Motivator's most famous offspring, dual Arc winner Treve.

While Midweek has some way to go before she can be even mentioned in the same breath as Treve, there are reasons to believe so could be over priced at around the 25-1 mark.

"She will definitely run, she did a piece of work on Saturday that really pleased me," said Head-Maarek.,

"I know she was beaten in the Prix Imprudence, but she will definitely be suited by stepping back up to a mile as she won over that trip last year.

"She was my best two-year-old last season, she was slowly away on her debut and should have finished much closer than fourth.

"I've been lucky with Motivator as a sire in the past and I'm hoping I can be again.

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"She's a good filly and will appreciate any cut in the ground - it just depends if any of the other fillies are better than her."

Another trainer who thinks his filly may be over priced is William Knight who saddles Robanne, a fast-finishing third to Nathra in the Nell Gwyn.

"She was drawn on the outside that day and Silvestre (De Sousa) didn't want to be stuck out wide, so he had to drop in further back than ideal.

"I was really pleased with how she finished off, she flew home, and will be suited by an extra furlong.

"She's come on a hell of a lot for that run. She hadn't been anywhere for a gallop before it and I think she's got a decent each-way chance.

"She'll be my first runner in a Classic so it's very exciting."

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