John Gosden's Dabyah laid down her 1000 Guineas credentials in the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered as the Fred Darling Stakes)
Race Result
1st Dabyah 6/4 fav
2nd Urban Fox 25/1
3rd Promising 8/1
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Race Report
John Gosden's Dabyah laid down her 1000 Guineas credentials in the Fred Darling Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.
Sky Bet cut her to 10/1 from 14s for the Newmarket Classic after a thoroughly convincing win in Saturday's trial, the daughter of Sepoy making all under Frankie Dettori for a clearcut success.
Queen Kindly missed the break under Jamie Spencer which didn't aid her cause, but Dabyah was smartly away and always in control on th efront end.
She won by a length-and-a-quarter from Urban Fox, with Promising third.
Reaction
John Gosden: "The other filly (Daban, Nell Gwyn winner) is more laid-back and very relaxed and likes to come with a late run, whereas this one is out the gate racing. I thought she pricked her ears well, which is a good sign. We will look at either the French or English Guineas for sure and she will go for one of those two races. I am thrilled to win a Fred Darling and a Nell Gwyn for Mr (Abdullah Saeed) Al Naboodah (owner). Daban has come out of her race well and as long as this girl is OK in the morning we can make bold plans. Frankie said she was perfect in front and that she pricked her ears and tootled along. She will come on for the race. She actually missed a couple of bits of work . We will see what the owner thinks, but the jockey would like to run Daban at Newmarket and Dabyah in France. If they are in good order that is the jockey's wish. She has run well in France before and they get more rain there, so there is likely to be a bit more give. He felt the other filly handled the dip (at Newmarket) well."
James Tate (trainer of Urban Fox): "She had a setback six weeks ago with a foot problem. She has not done much work and this has been used as a trial, so we are delighted. She will improve for the step up to a mile and we will get her ready for the Guineas. I didn't expect her to finish as well as that given all the work she missed."
Richard Hannon (trainer of Promising): "She is a lovely filly and there are a lot of positives to take out of it. I am favouring France as there is likely to be more cut in the ground there. I am not sure she really let herself down on that ground today. She will win a nice race and the flat track at Deauville will suit her."
