Wild Illusion presents Godolphin with a wonderful opportunity to win a Group 1 race at the Goodwood festival on Thursday.
The Dubai-based racing operation, back in the hunt for Group 1 titles after skipping the Goodwood Cup and Sussex Stakes, are pinning their hopes on the Investec Oaks runner-up ahead of the Nassau Stakes.
Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby has said the bay daughter of Dubawi would be suited by dropping back to the 2,000-metre distance.
“I think that coming back two furlongs [around 400m] in trip is going to be ideal for her,” Appleby told Godolphin.com. “She’s already a Group 1 winner [having finished first in the 2017 Prix Marcel Boussac], and if she can maintain the high level of form displayed in her career to date, she will be right there at the finish of the Nassau.
“She has progressed well from her races in June and has pleased me in her work,” Appleby added.
It's Day 2 of #GloriousGoodwood 🇬🇧 🐎
— Godolphin (@godolphin) August 1, 2018
Who remembers #Noverre winning 2001 G1 Sussex Stakes for #TeamGodolphin? pic.twitter.com/0pxEUqRrs0
Wild Illusion won twice from three starts as a two year old last year, but she has yet to strike in three starts in 2018.
She finished fourth in the Group 1 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket in May. She then jumped to the mile-a-half trip for the Oaks at Epsom, and finished runner-up again in the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot the following month.
The Godolphin runner faces six others in the race, including the Richard Hannon-trained Billesdon Brook, shock winner of the 1,000 Guineas.
Aidan O'Brien sends out Rhododendron, winner of three Group 1 races including the Lockinge Stakes in her second last start at Newbury.
William Haggas runs Urban Fox, winner of the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh while Veracious carry the hopes of Michael Stoute. Martyn Meade’s Wilamina complete the line-up.
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