BC Internationals: Filly & Mare Turf contender Wuheida

Once prominent in the classic antepost market before a springtime injury ruled her out, Godolphin’s Wuheida has been hinting of a breakthrough in the second half, and the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) could be just the spot for her resurgence.

The homebred is a daughter of past Godolphin celebrities Dubawi and Hibaayeb. Her dam garnered a major event at two – the 2009 Fillies’ Mile (G1) – when trained by Clive Brittain. After joining Godolphin, Hibaayeb added the 2010 Ribblesdale (G2) at Royal Ascot and Yellow Ribbon (G1) at Santa Anita, but finished eighth in that fall’s Filly & Mare Turf at Churchill Downs. Her last win came in the 2011 Sheepshead Bay (G2) at Belmont Park.

Wuheida, her second foal, immediately served notice on debut for trainer Charlie Appleby. Favored in a seven-furlong maiden at Newmarket last summer, the chestnut handily defeated a next-out winner in Spatial.

In her first stakes test in the Prix Marcel Boussac (G1) on Arc Day, Wuheida had the tactical speed to advance into a pace-prompting position. That proved decisive as she was on the premises when front-running favorite Dabyah tried to put the race away in the stretch. Wuheida was close enough to stay in the hunt before ultimately outstaying her to the line. She also got the jump on Promise To Be True, who just grabbed second from Dabyah, and the deep-closing Senga in fourth.

Wuheida thereby emerged as a prime contender for this spring’s 1000 Guineas (G1) at Newmarket, for which she was the antepost second favorite to Coolmore’s Rhododendron. But the clash didn’t materialize as Wuheida sustained a stress fracture to her right hind that shelved her until midsummer.

Ready to return in the July 14 Falmouth (G1), Wuheida showed that she retained all of her ability with a solid second to Roly Poly. That Aidan O’Brien trainee had a couple of advantages. Not only was she reaching her peak after four races already this term, but Roly Poly’s natural speed going a mile – particularly on the July Course – figured to be too sharp for the comebacker. So it was all the more encouraging when Wuheida offered a challenge that forced Roly Poly to pull out extra to see her off.

It's another Group One success for Aidan O'Brien as the 6-4 favourite, Roly Poly, wins the Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes at @NewmarketRace. pic.twitter.com/TXbbjLzQx1

— Racing UK (@Racing_UK) July 14, 2017

Wuheida was among those in the line-up for a superb renewal of the Nassau (G1) at Glorious Goodwood, but like Nezwaah, she was withdrawn thanks to the monsoon that turned the ground too soft. With kindlier weather, we could have been treated to a fascinating showdown with Winter and Queen’s Trust, in Wuheida’s first try at 1 1/4 miles.

Her fallback position was the German Oaks (G1) three days later. As luck would have it, Wuheida caught a rain-affected track anyway. That, plus stepping up to 1 3/8 miles, and trying to deal with the intricacies of Dusseldorf, added up to getting overturned as the 11-10 favorite. She didn’t corner too well into the first turn, but regrouped and swept to the fore in the homestretch, only to get outstayed by Hamburg trial winner Lacazar and 28-1 shot Megera.