Basher Watts determined to give Fellowes his first ‘official’ Group One

Syndicate manager Basher Watts is looking to the future with Shes Perfect having unsuccessfully appealed against the demotion of his filly from first place in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

Having crossed the line a nose in front of the French favourite Zarigana, the stewards deemed Shes Perfect drifted off a true line into Exactly, who in turn impeded Zarigana.

With a line finally drawn under the race, Watts and trainer Charlie Fellowes now have to decide whether to take on the best fillies around over a mile at Royal Ascot or step up in trip and return to France for the Prix de Diane, the French Oaks.

“It’s definitely 50-50 between Ascot for the Coronation and the French Oaks,” said Watts, who has developed a strong following on TikTok and Instagram and set up Basher Watts Racing on the back of his social media success and interactions with followers.

“When Kieran (Shoemark) came back in after ‘winning’ the Guineas, he said stick at a mile. Although we were demoted, we won one of the best mile races you can run in, so it seemed silly to step up in trip.

“However, there’s Galileo on her dam’s side so she is bred to stay, she’ll definitely stay further and to me the Coronation looks one of the hottest Royal Ascot races of the week.

“You don’t want to dodge horses, but the chance to run in another Classic, which looks a slightly easier option…and how sweet would it be to go back and win with no questions asked.

“I never thought I’d have a chip on my shoulder about winning a Classic, but we’ve got one more chance and that’s the Prix de Diane. It’s a wonderful position to be in and I’d love to go back over and get Charlie his Group One.

“If we could provide Charlie with that it would be huge. I came into the game two years ago next month as a complete novice. Charlie took me under his wing and now I view him as one of my best mates.

“I used to say to him ‘I’ll win you your first Group One’ and he’d sort of roll his eyes, but in my book we know we did it and if we can do it officially, that would be fantastic.”

While initially winning and then losing a Classic, it is easy to forget the giant strides Shes Perfect has made in two outings this season, pushing Zarigana to a neck in a Group Three first time out having shown only decent form at two.

“Heading into the Prix de la Grotte, the French were talking about Zarigana as if she was the second coming. She’s a beautiful horse and it’s a pleasure to be taking on horses like that and it is one-one in our books,” said Watts.

“Even in behind us in the Guineas there was a Royal Ascot winner in Bedtime Story, who was one of four from Coolmore, so it was very much a ‘pinch me’ moment, let alone being first past the post.

“She was always a big two-year-old and was always going to strengthen between two and three and this is why I love Charlie – he’s such a patient trainer, he just gave her two runs and didn’t run her again.

“His placement to get black type first up was sensational and he’s just been unlucky with the rub of the green these last few years, but if you give him the ammunition, he’s one of the best out there.”