Damson Misses Guineas Date Damson, ante-post favourite for Sunday?s UltimatePoker.com 1000 Guineas, has been ruled out of the race having scoped badly after working at Newmarket this morning. The David Wachman-trained filly, who travelled over from Ireland last week to complete her preparations, was as short as 3-1 for the mile Classic. Wachman said: 'Obviously it?s disappointing for all concerned but it?s not the end of the world and hopefully we will have her back in time for the Irish 1000.' Damson had been a warm order for the Guineas through the winter having impressed on more than one occasion during her juvenile campaign. A scintillating three-length winner of the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the daughter of Entrepreneur then went on to Group One glory in the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. Her final start of 2004 saw her lose her unbeaten record when third behind Magical Romance in the Cheveley Park Stakes. Damson, who is owned by Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor, was expected to be the mount of retained rider Kieren Fallon but he could now switch to the Aidan O?Brien-trained Virginia Waters. Ladbrokes now make Karen´s Caper and Shanghai Lily the 4-1 joint favourites for the race. The former took the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket earlier this month while the latter represents trainer Sir Michael Stoute and owners Cheveley Park Stud, who teamed up to take the race in 2003 with Russian Rhythm. Ladbrokes´ spokesman Balthazar Fabricius said: 'For so long it looked like a one-horse race but it´s now been thrown wide open, 'Karen´s Caper was 33-1 before the Nell Gwyn and Shanghai Lily was also as big as 20-1 only two weeks ago.' UltimatePoker.com 1000 Guineas, Ladbrokes bet: 4-1 Karen´s Caper, 4-1 Shanghai Lily, 5-1 Cape Columbine, 7-1 Satin Kiss, 9-1 Maids Causeway, 12-1 Echelon, Virginia Waters, 14-1 Penkenna Princess, 20-1 Magical Romance, 25-1 bar. ? PA Sport
