Connections adamant America Queen will make her mark in Group Ones

Connections are hopeful it is only a “matter of time” before America Queen makes her mark at the top table, as they continue to ponder which version of the 1000 Guineas to tackle next month.

Richard Hughes’ gutsy daughter of Havana Grey has fallen short in three runs since her wide-margin Haydock win on debut, but has acquitted herself with real credit in elite company on each occasion.

Fourth in the Cheveley Park on her final start at two, she got a further taste of Newmarket when beaten a neck in the Nell Gwyn last week, with her team now deciding on a return to the Rowley Mile for the Betfred 1000 Guineas or a trip across the Channel for the French equivalent a week later.

“The question mark will be the mile and she has to prove she gets it, but she will take her chance in a Guineas and see,” said Philip Robinson, racing manager for owner Jaber Abdullah.

“Richard was thinking France and he might not be too far wrong. Going round the bend would probably make it easier to get the mile, but it’s still up for discussion and nothing has been settled just yet.

“Wherever she goes she is sure to run well. She’s very game and I think it’s just a matter of time before she finds a big one – she tries her heart out.”

It is not just America Queen in Classic contention for owner Abdullah, with stablemate Rose Ghaiyyath, James Tate’s unbeaten Darn Hot Gallop and Charlie Johnston’s Burradon Stakes winner Timeforshowcasing others holding entries for Newmarket on May 3.

Robinson added: “The owner is very lucky he has a team of very consistent and game fillies. Maybe we try to keep them apart, but Jaber doesn’t mind sending a few to the same battle and he’s never afraid of a couple of his taking each other on.

“As he says, there is only so many Classics and he would like to try to win them, so if they have a realistic chance, they will run.”