Al Shaqab Racing’s Sandiva wins Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes

Al Shaqab Racing owned Sandiva (below) came with a courageous performance while annexing the Lanwades Stud Nell Gwyn Stakes with a half length victory at Newmarket on Wednesday. Sandiva has now booked a place in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas.

The Richard Fahey-trained daughter of Footstepsinthesand raced in the midfield for the bulk of the seven furlong contest before being asked to quicken by jockey Frankie Dettori and fought well to secure a well deserved win.

As a two-year-old Sandiva won three of her first four starts and finished second in the other, in races up to seven furlongs, before finishing seventh at her first attempt at a mile at Longchamp in October.

Yet trainer and jockey believe she will stay the mile distance of the 1000 Guineas on May 4 and has a good chance of victory in the fillies’ classic.

“Where she was drawn was a one or two length disadvantage and there was no cover, so it was a good performance. She is entitled to go for the Guineas with a good chance.” Dettori said.

Trainer Fahey added “Frankie is sure she will stay a mile and he spent half the race trying to switch her off and get her in.”