Musical Times (15:35 Doncaster — Betfred May Hill Stakes, Group 2, 1m)
A two-year-old chestnut filly by Lope De Vega, owned by Godolphin and trained by Charlie Appleby — in superb form at 33% over the last 14 days — and partnered by William Buick, who won on her at Yarmouth in July. Musical Times has been electric in both starts, winning at Newmarket in June and then dominating a Class 3 novice at Yarmouth on 2 July at 1/5, posting a sectional time of 112.76% — an exceptional figure that puts her well above anything else in this field on raw speed. She won with plenty to spare, doing it on the bridle.
She steps up to Group 2 company today for the first time over 1m, but Appleby has already entered her in the Rockfel Stakes and the Fillies’ Mile — he doesn’t do that without absolute confidence. The same connections won this race in 2024 with Desert Flower, who went on to win the 1,000 Guineas. History suggests they know exactly what they have.
Verdict: Back to win — exceptional sectional times, unbeaten, Appleby and Buick, and connections with a proven blueprint for this race. 🏇
