Walker thrilled with The Prettiest Star’s work

The Prettiest Star is on track to return to Newmarket for the Betfred 1000 Guineas after a pleasing piece of work on the Rowley Mile ahead of the opening day of the Craven meeting.

The Starman filly, owned like her sire by David Ward, ran twice as a two-year-old when winning a Nottingham maiden and then finishing second by half a length in the Rockfel Stakes.

She worked alongside Queen’s Reign, a mare with Listed form, and readily pulled clear of her stablemate to please connections ahead of her Classic tilt on the same course in May.

“That was very good as she has worked to a good level there with Queen’s Reign, who is a solid yardstick and a consistent filly at Listed level,” said Walker.

“She has had a nice blow, which is exactly what she needed. She has not had much of a blow at home as she has been going through the motions a bit.

“It is her second away day and hopefully that will put her spot on for the Guineas.

“She was very good at Kempton Park last time, but she was a bit fresh today over the first couple of furlongs, but hopefully that will blow the cobwebs away.

“It has been a worthwhile exercise. She has stepped forward from Kempton Park, and on grass that would have been harder work than bouncing off the polytrack.”

The Oaks may be the key goal but Charlie Johnston is still willing to roll the dice in the Guineas with Venetian Lace after her racecourse gallop.

The Masar filly was consistent last year but excelled when second to Precise in the Group One Fillies’ Mile which sparked Classic plans that were then supported by her work with two stablemates.

“She actually worked with Timeforshowcasing the week before she (Timeforshowcasing) won at Newcastle so we were quite confident she would go and do that there,” said Johnston.

“It made us wonder if this filly would have the speed for the Guineas or if we should be working back from the Oaks and that’s what made us come here, to figure it out a bit.

“Jason (Hart) was very happy with her and even though my gut feeling is that she’s a lot more likely to win an Oaks, the Guineas is still the best trial for the Oaks and the aim will be to come here.

“She might not have the sexy profile that others have but she showed in October that she’s right up here with the best of them.”