Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered As The Fred Darling Stakes) (Fillies' Group 3)

Off time: 14:05 | Winning time: 1m 26.35s

(2)

Elmalka¹⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: R Varian| D

17/2

Well related (half-sister to Benbatl) and overcame a pace bias to make an impressive winning start at Southwell 148 days ago. Inexperience is an issue but well worth an early go in this company.

Form: 1-

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(1)

Folgaria¹⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: M Botti

5/1

Useful filly. Won 9-runner Premio Dormello at Milan (8f, soft) by 2¼ lengths from Three Havanas. Off 6 months. First run for yard after leaving Stefano Botti. Has the form to merit consideration on British debut.

Form: 11-

(3)

Regal Jubilee¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 99

10/3

Left debut form well behind when running out an impressive winner of a Windsor and took another marked step forward to land a listed event at Newmarket with something to spare. Can continue her progress after five months off and looks the one to beat.

Form: 911-

(6)

Relief Rally²⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 107| C

7/4

Her only defeat in 5 starts has come when edged out in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and she has since bagged the Newbury Super Sprint and York's Lowther Stakes on her first go over 6f. Strong claims on return.

Form: 11211-

(4)

Star Music¹⁹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: R Hughes| OR: 97| D

5/1

Promising sort who improved again upped in trip/under more positive ride when running out a 7.5 length winner of a Kempton maiden in September and backed it up with a good third in the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket 6 months ago. May make a better 3yo.

Form: 3313-

(5)

Topanga¹⁷¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| D

16/1

Didn't need to improve from her promising debut when landing 10-runner novice at Kempton 171 days ago. Has plenty of potential but this is an entirely different proposition.

Form: 21-

Forecasts

Relief Rally (7/4), Regal Jubilee (10/3), Folgaria (5/1), Star Music (5/1), Elmalka (17/2), Topanga (16/1)

REGAL JUBILEE improved in big chunks on both outings since her debut last season and she's very much the sort to go on improving this term, so she takes marginal preference over the likeable Relief Rally, who sets the standard on what's been achieved to this point. Impressive debut winner Elmalka is another one to consider in what looks a potentially good renewal.