By Sean Cronin
DAB HAND
Once-raced prior to this Classic prep, Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah's Daban (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) overcame potential stagefright to overturn some proven fillies and become a fascinating latecomer into the picture for the G1 1000 Guineas back here May 7. Keen early held up by Frankie Dettori behind the leaders, the 12-1 shot who showed a deadly turn of acceleration over this seven-furlong trip on Kempton's Polytrack in November had plenty in reserve for the uphill climb to the line. After mastering fellow outsider Unforgetable Filly (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}) in the last 50 yards, the bay asserted to win by 3/4 of a length and impress her rider in the process. “She travelled brilliantly, she showed a good turn of foot and she can only improve,” Dettori said, before confirming that she is in the class of a Guineas protagonist. “She showed a good attitude. She has won her trial and she's entitled to give it a go.”
Wednesday, Newmarket, Britain
LANWADES STUD NELL GWYN S.-G3, £60,000, NEW, 4-19, 3yo, f, 7fT, 1:24.42, g/f.
1–#@DABAN (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Acclamation (GB)
1st Dam: Malaspina (Ire), by Whipper
2nd Dam: Mahalia (Ire), by Danehill
3rd Dam: Maresca (Ire), by Mill Reef
(70,000gns RNA Ylg '15 TAOCT; 260,000gns 2yo '16 TATHIT). O-Abdullah Saeed Al Naboodah; B-Kildaragh Stud (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £34,026. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $47,654. *1/2 to Thikriyaat (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}), GSW-Eng, $154,942. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Unforgetable Filly (GB), 126, f, 3, Sepoy (Aus)–Beautiful Filly (GB), by Oasis Dream (GB). (50,000gns Ylg '15 TAOCT). O-Dr Ali Ridha; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (GB); T-Hugo Palmer. £12,900.
3–Poet's Vanity (GB), 126, f, 3, Poet's Voice (GB)–Vanity (Ire), by Thatching (Ire). (155,000gns Wlg '14 TATFOA; 200,000gns Ylg '15 TATOCT). O-Mrs M E Wates; B-Panda Bloodstock & Trickledown Stud (GB); T-Andrew Balding. £6,456.
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 1 3/4. Odds: 12.00, 14.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Pamplemousse (Ire), Sea of Grace (Ire), Kilmah (GB), Roly Poly, Kazimiera (GB), Tallulah Rose (GB), Brave Anna, Choumicha (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
John Gosden had previously collected four renewals of this prestigious Guineas trial, but punters were wary of taking the plunge on this unproven filly who appeared to be filling the void of her stablemate, the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac third Dabyah (Ire) (Sepoy {Aus}), who was instead switched to Saturday's G3 Fred Darling S. at Newbury. Over-racing towards the stand's-side rail initially with Dettori intent on maximising this educational opportunity, the bay soon settled with a lead from Kilmah (GB) (Sepoy {Aus}) and was one of a select few ready to make an impact as the 7-2 favourite Roly Poly (War Front) was the first of the main protagonists to issue distress signals. With the determined Unforgetable Filly refusing to allow the long-time leader Poet's Vanity (GB) (Poet's Voice {GB}) any peace and Sea of Grace (Ire) (Born To Sea {Ire}) and TDN Rising Star Pamplemousse (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}) flattering to deceive, it was Daban who gave the most at the finish in what amounted to a highly promising display from such an inexperienced runner.
“I was expecting a good show from her,” Gosden commented. “She's a sweet, lovely filly and is very relaxed at home. She does have that cruising speed and ability to quicken, which is what a good thoroughbred has. She has quickened up well and she'll improve from that. She is in the Classic here and in France, so we will talk to the owner about which way he wants to play it. Dabyah has been to France and maybe this filly can come here and Dabyah can go to France. I asked Frankie whether she would stay the mile and he felt should would. I think the well-rated and fancied fillies disappointed early in the race and I do like the second and I was most impressed with the third when she won at Salisbury. I promise you it is easy to knock it, but I think they are talented fillies and lets see what the Fred Darling has and then as usual let's see what turns up fresh on the day without a run. I think she is the kind of filly that in a race they will know if they go by her. She is tough and has got a great mind. There is no reason a filly like this won't mentally improve as well as physically improve–she is the type of filly that could well be in the frame.”
Intriguingly, it was at this meeting 12 months ago that the winner's half-brother Thikriyaat won a conditions event en route to annexing the G3 Thoroughbred S. and finishing runner-up in the G3 Jersey S. The dam is a half to Albisola (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who captured the G3 Prix de Flore and was third in the G2 Prix de Sandringham, and also this stable's G3 Prix Quincey winner and G1 Criterium International runner-up Johnny Barnes (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). Among her other half-siblings are Bufera (Ire) (King's Best), responsible for the Listed Prix la Sorellina scorer and G3 Prix Chloe and G3 Prix de Lieurey runner-up Chartreuse (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), and Tonnara (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}) whose Ectot (GB) (Hurricane Run {Ire}) and Most Improved (Ire) were successful at the top level with the former taking the G1 Criterium International and GI Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and Most Improved registering his career-best in the G1 St. James's Palace S. Also from the family of the sires Ivan Luis (Fr) and Stagelight (Ire), the Classic-placed Hathrah (Ire) (Linamix {Fr}) and her G1SP daughter Hadaatha (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), Malaspina also has a 2-year-old colt by Pour Moi (Ire) named Para Mio (Ire) and a yearling full-sister to Daban.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
