Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby believes the best is yet to come from Wild Illusion as she chases a Group One hat-trick in the Maker’s Mark Filly and Mare Turf at the Breeders’ Cup.
The daughter of Dubawi will bid to back up top-level wins over a mile and a quarter in the Nassau at Goodwood and Prix de l’Opera at Paris-Longchamp last time when racing over a furlong further on November 3 at Churchill Downs in a race Appleby landed 12 months ago with the now retired Wuheida.
Appleby said: “The plan is to go out to America on Saturday morning with Wild Illusion, and she deserves to be there She has come out the race in France really well.
“Although she has campaigned well so far over the summer, going back to her two-year-old career, the autumn is when she comes into her own.
“She goes there in good order, and if she adapts to her surroundings she should be a player.
“The trip will be fine. The drop back to a mile and a quarter has seen the improvement – but this is over a mile three on a flat track with a couple of turns, so there are no concerns regarding that.”
The Newmarket handler also intends to run last-time-out Grade One winner La Pelosa in the Juvenile Fillies Turf, and Line Of Duty in the Juvenile Turf, on the opening day of the meeting 24 hours earlier.
The 43-year-old added: “Line Of Duty has come out of his Group Three at Chantilly well. He has gained plenty of experience, although this is a step up in class.
“We feel he has got the right sort of profile for the race, so we will head out there and see where we are.
“La Pelosa won a win-and-you’re-in race at Woodbine last time, so she will take her chance in the Juvenile Fillies’ Turf race. She has a similar profile to Line Of Duty.
“The only disappointing run she had was at Newmarket in the Duchess Of Cambridge when she nearly got knocked over – but up until then, she had been very consistent.”
“I feel with these races at this time of year, sometimes it is horses that have the experience like she has have a potential advantage.”
