Fred Darling Stakes 2013

2.55 Newbury

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

Winner £34,026

Advice: 1 pt win Maureen (4/1 888Sport)

Agent Allison: Couldn’t touch the coattails of Newfangled in Albany after deeply impressive maiden win and then well beaten in Marcel Boussac at the end of the season; Better than latter effort was able to show and worth another chance here.

Califante: Second, albeit receiving a fair bit of weight, to The Gold Cheongsam in Sales race at the backend of last season, but exposed afterwards and more needed here for new yard following midfield finish in Group 3 event when last seen.

City Image: Just ahead of Califante at Deauville when close up fourth in 7f Deauville group 3, but looks exposed and clearly second string.

Desert Image: Took time to come to herself last season, but did so well at backend of last season, second in 1m Listed fillies event on soft; Can go well here even if this over furlong shorter.

Maureen: Looked one of the best 2yo fillies last season even in defeat at July meeting and then when winning Group 3 in her own time at Ascot; Never going in Cheveley Park Stakes but short of room when disappointing favourite and surely better than what she was able to show there; Will stay 7f.

Melbourne Memories: Improving through the remainder of last autumn,  winning 16 runner listed event at Newmarket (soft) after taking Ascot conditions stakes; More needed.

Mystical Sapphire: First turf start today, third in muddling event last time at Kempton (venue for all her starts); More needed.

Roshdhu Queen: Unbeaten in four as 2yo, making all to win Lowther and Cheveley Park in good style (form working out reasonably); This a different trip and slightly slower surface but never stronger than at the finish at Newmarket and still needs respecting without a penalty for that win; Best form in the race and worthy favourite.

The Gold Cheongsam: Fifth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf at Santa Anita was a very creditable one considering she’d been on the go for so long that season, including when winning valuable Sales event at Doncaster; Last of 11 in Cheveley Park but still needs serious considering.

Valais Girl: Much improved since addition of cheekpieces, winning maiden over 6f in really good style here before sixth in Sales event, having tried to lead all the way. 

VERDICT: Roshdhu Queen is a worthy favourite with no penalty for her win in the Cheveley Park, but everything went her way that day and at the prices and this trip, MAUREEN is well worth giving a second chance to show just how good she can be. Denied a clear run at the crucial stage of the Cheveley Park, Richard Hannon’s charge may see out this trip the better and is the value of the pair.