Richard Fahey on the 'huge problem' that could hurt Perfect Power's Guineas bid

Richard Fahey plans to take precautions with Perfect Power in the minutes leading up to Saturday’s Qipco 2,000 Guineas after describing the colt’s tendency to go keenly to the start as potentially being “a huge problem”.

A dual Group 1 winner last year, Perfect Power has been eager to get to the start for his last two races – when winning the Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket and when making a successful comeback in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury this month.

Fahey said Perfect Power had gone “exceptionally quickly” to the start for the Middle Park and that he was on the edge of bolting to the stalls for the Greenham, meaning it was something his team would “need to keep an eye on” before the Classic.

3.40 Newmarket Saturday: Qipco 2,000 Guineas racecard and betting

As such, Fahey is planning for Perfect Power, an 11-1 chance with bet365 and Ladbrokes, to head to the start early with jockey Christophe Soumillon legged into the saddle just as the horse gets to the course.

“It’s a huge problem and it’s something that when he hits the grass he just goes — it’s 0-45 in six strides and he wants to go with you,” Fahey said. “Christophe said another two miles an hour at Newbury and he was gone. He did it in the Middle Park last year when he went down exceptionally quickly. It was one of those that if he’d have been beaten in the race that would have been a trainer’s excuse.

“So we’ll probably go down early and lead him some of the way too. We’ll lead him to the end of the walkway and put Christophe up just before he hits the track and then lead him half a furlong or so before they trot off.

Perfect Power won the Greenham Stakes this monthCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

“I don’t know where it comes from – it’s something he’s got into his system that I need to get out of him. Literally in two strides he's gone. He wants to run so it’s something we need to keep an eye on.”

Perfect Power, who races for owner Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, will be running over a mile for the first time in the 2,000 Guineas but Fahey is confident he will get the trip.

Speaking during a press conference hosted by Great British Racing and the British Champions Series, Fahey also outlined the confidence Soumillon has in Perfect Power.

“If you didn’t know the horse at all and you sat down cold to watch the Greenham you’d be confident he’d stay a mile,” he said. "I thought he looked chubby around the edges in the parade ring that day and he had a good blow for one of ours afterwards, so the race has put him spot on.

“He’s got a blistering turn of speed and it’s just when a horse is as fast as him, and by that I mean a horse who finds going fast so easy, you don’t dream that they’ll stay as if they do then you know that horse is going to be exceptional. But I just love this guy.

“When you’re training a horse like this he’s going to end up being a stallion whatever happens, but you feel an obligation to protect him and not ask him the impossible. The horse does help himself, though, as in the race he switches off and he gives himself every chance.”

He added: “This guy, I just love him and I love his demeanour, and Christophe has huge confidence in the horse. I have never seen him so animated about a horse as he was when he won the Prix Morny on him in France.”

Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket Saturday)

bet365: 10-11 Native Trail, 4 Coroebus, 9-2 Luxembourg, 11 Perfect Power, 14 Point Lonsdale, 16 Dubawi Legend, 22 Eydon, 25 bar

Read more on the Guineas meeting:

Aidan O'Brien says Luxembourg faces 'big ask' in 2,000 Guineas

Native Trail leads the way as Godolphin Guineas hopes sparkle in weekend workout

Cachet camp daring to dream after booking James Doyle for 1,000 Guineas ride

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