Gavota Faces Fred Darling Test

On another big day for Juddmonte, Gavota (GB) (Bated Breath {GB}) puts her 1000 Guineas credentials on the line in Saturday's G3 Dubai Duty Free S., or Fred Darling, at Newbury. Third in the G2 Rockfel S. and second to Altyn Orda (Ire) (Kyllachy {GB}) in the G3 Oh So Sharp S. over this trip at Newmarket during the autumn, the homebred sets the standard on that form. Khalid Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe commented, “She probably didn't quite handle the dip as well as some of the others, but she ran very decently in both races at Newmarket and the form of the second race looks solid after the Nell Gwyn. She's a neat, smallish filly and she still has a winter coat on her, but the coat itself is gleaming so she's in good shape. If she won very well then Prince Khalid would have to make a decision about where he wants to go, but I would think if she won well she might be more of a French Guineas type.”

This is a race which the Hannons have enjoyed much success in and the stable have a trio this time which includes a live contender in Shadwell's Tajaanus (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}), who beat the subsequent Rockfel winner Juliet Capulet (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) in Newmarket's G3 Sweet Solera S. at this distance in August. Only seventh in Doncaster's G2 May Hill S. over a mile in September, she had excuses that day. “Tajaanus has wintered really well according to Richard and he is extremely happy with her heading into Saturday's race,” racing manager Angus Gold said. “She had enjoyed a good season last year, but that had probably caught up with her by the time she ran in the May Hill. She is a daughter of Arcano, so whether she stays a mile will be interesting in time, but that is why we are running, so we can see what sort of plans we could make for her this season. She is entered in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. I don't think she probably is good enough to run in that race, but Saturday will tell us everything.”