Dubai Duty Free Stakes 2011

2.40 Newbury

Dubai Duty Free Stakes (Registered As The Fred Darling Stakes) (Fillies' Group 3) (Str) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner £28,385

Pick: Cape Dollar (win)

Aneeedah: Fourth in valuable sales race over 7f on just her second career start, an impressive effort considering as she was a maiden; Didn’t have to work to win Yarmouth contest and might be better than her last effort, having made running for small standside group of three; Place chances.

Breedj: Far from the finished article both starts last year; Went close in a maiden and then a listed race but well behind when beaten on seasonal reappearance  and others taken here, for all she may do better in time.

Cape Dollar: Showed plenty of promise on her debut when third at Newmarket and took major steps forward with every run, improving from her Goodwood third (soft) to take the Rockfel on her final start; Posted very good time then and looked every inch a three year old, and strong chance here even though she may want a mile.

Cochabamba: Showed up well on every two year old start last season, running a close second in the Rockfel and Prestige Stakes; Has every chance here on that form if training on well (not scopiest filly in paddock).

Darjaat: Was a winner over 6 furlongs last year and best run was when dropped down to third in the Cornwallis Stakes, up in the van all the way; Useful horse but didn’t shape as if seven furlongs would be her trip last year.

Euchraist: Proved a revelation last season,  winning four out of her seven races, two in Nurseries at big summer meetings (Goodwood, Doncaster);Won over seven furlongs despite interference and not ruled out of being a group class horse with more improvement.

Glas Burn: Not beaten far in Listed company at the back end of last season (may have taken a bigger hand in finish had she been more prominent early) and gave useful looking Retainer a big scare on seasonal debut; May have more to offer.

Morirtita: Took a lot of time to come to hand last season, and went close in solid Nursery at Doncaster (behind Eucharist; Should be behind her again); 4^th in Group 3 afterwards solid but not badly exposed.

Perfect Tribute:  Made comfortable work of landing 8-runner maiden at Salisbury (5f) on introduction, drawing away at finish; Ran a solid race when 2 & ½ lengths behind Margot Did on her latest start, pulling hard early and only just weakening at finish; Not up to last in Lowther  and has it all to do.

Pontenuovo: Looked like a different horse from one on debut (understandably) when winning Prix De Turquie, overturning a good looking odds on prospect; Very creditable third in Prix Morny (form been boosted) and forgiven last run, where 1m in heavy ground was too far; Has a big chance.

Rimth: Produced a fine turn of foot to win 16-runner maiden over 5f at Windsor in May (form worked out very well for the grade)and has since bettered that form in high grade, coming third in the Lowther (form worked out) and second in the Dick Poole Stakes; Ran a rubbish race (even though she got no cover) behind Ragash at Ayr but clear best of rest behind Hooray in Cheveley Park and one of obvious ones.

Sharnberry: Has shown ability on dead ground, impressing when wiping floor easily with moderate opposition in dead-ground Lingfield maiden with a good bit to spare in August; Well behind Rimth in Cheveley Park & and third in listed race needs improving on.

Tallahasse: Made easy winning debut in 5f Beverly maiden and just wouldn’t give in when making it 2-2 in gutsy fashion over Sweetie Time; Unplaced on group debut last year and others preferred in stronger race.

Yarooh: Clearly long way out of depth here; beaten in AW nurseries off mark of 75 last twice.

VERDICT: A good renewal of what can prove to be a strong classic trial, for all the race hasn’t got the past influence it used to.  Plenty here have strong classic aspirations and it’s more of a watching brief but CAPE DOLLAR impressed with her attitude when beating Cochabamba win the Rockfel and given a prominent ride, may have enough to see of Potenuovo, Rimth, and the progressive Eucharist.