Betfred Middleton Stakes
1st. Blond Me 11/1
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Outsider of four Blond Me upset her market rivals in the Group Two Betfred Middleton Stakes at York's Dante meeting.
Andrew Balding's five-year-old was a shade keen early but quickened well in the closing stages to pick up the front-running The Black Princess.
The eventual second had been allowed her own way in front under Frankie Dettori, tracked throughout by the penalised Queen's Trust who threw down a strong challenge a long way from home.
Last year's Breeders' Cup Filly And Mare Turf winner Queen's Trust's run flattened out in the closing stages on her seasonal reappearance and The Black Princess looked to have the race in safe keeping.
Having failed to figure on her only start over the trip on her final outing of last season in Italy, the jury was out whether Blond Me would be able to see out the trip.
Oisin Murphy, however, got the perfect response from the daughter of Tamayuz who picked up well inside the distance to cut the leaders down in the final 50 yards and win a shade cosily by a length and a quarter.
Smart South African mare Smart Call finished with an eyecatching run on her debut for Sir Michael Stoute to edge out her stablemate and take third.
Reaction
Oisin Murphy: "The ground was a concern, but fair play to Andrew and Mrs Keller as they took a chance to run her and it's paid dividends.
"It's a big York meeting and I wanted a winner so I thought I would try (a different racing line).
"Looking at her action, you would think she wants firm ground so maybe she's just improved a bit."
Anna Lisa Balding: "We're over the moon as we didn't think she would handle the ground. She picked up really well and has strengthened up well over the winter.
"I've no idea were she will go next."
John Gosden is now planning to step up in trip with The Black Princess.
He said: "Frankie (Dettori) said she just felt a little flat after France. She didn't have quite the same kick as over there.
"She will probably go for the Lancashire Oaks next and we will step her up in trip."
Sir Michael Stoute was delighted with the run of South African import Smart Call, who was third, one place ahead of stablemate Queen's Trust.
He said: "I'm very pleased with Smart Call. She had not run for 16 months so you would think she would come on for it.
"She bounces off fast ground, it was pleasing to see her run so well. I've no idea where she goes next.
"Queen's Trust just got a little tired in the last furlong."
