Skitter Scatter Buzzing For 1,000 Guineas Test

Skitter Scatter Buzzing For 1,000 Guineas Test

John Oxx has announced that Skitter Scatter is in outstanding form ahead of her date with destiny this coming Sunday in the QIPCO 1,000 Guineas - the opening Classic of the season for the fillies.

Last a Classic winner with the great Sea The Stars back in 2009, Oxx has reported his Group One-winning juvenile to be at the top of her game after overcoming a spring setback.

Seven starts as a two-year-old merited four triumphs - three of which came in her three most recent appearances on the track, where she improved and progressed from Group Three and Two victories to take the Group One Moyglare Stakes at the Curragh.

Priced around the 6/1 mark for the Sunday showpiece, her trainer is thrilled over her potential chances.

(Credit: Racing Post) He said: "She's very well - she's had a good preparation and we've been happy. She did have a bit of a cough in February and was a little backward in her coat for a while, but she's come on well in the last month. 

"Her work has been good and consistent. She's not flamboyant and when she feels she's done her work she's quite happy not to extend too much, but she's been enthusiastic. She really has come on over the last three weeks.

"Last season she progressed for sure and certainly improved when she stepped up to seven furlongs – her form went to a different level when she stretched up in distance. 

"The mile is a new distance for her but you'd hope she'd stay. She was finishing out her races very well over seven last season."

The daughter of Scat Daddy should also relish the conditions on Sunday afternoon.

She has three quick-ground victories already to her name and the going at Newmarket currently good-to-firm and unlikely to change with no additional rain forecast in the next few days in the lead-up to the meeting.

Oxx mentioned: "She goes well on good, fast ground and at the moment I'm pleased with the going report and weather forecast."

Skitter Scatter heads thirty horses who have joined Oxx for this season, after Patrick Prendergast decided not to renew his training licence and instead merge with Oxx to become his assistant.  

As for the Guineas, as many as sixteen fillies remain in the spotlight after Monday's forfeit stage, with Qabala - the Nell Gwyn winner from a couple of weeks ago currently heading the closely-fought market.

Kevin Ryan's East and So Perfect - trained by Aidan O'Brien, were the notable absentees from the list.