Roger Charlton’s Gavota bidding to earn herself a Classic chance at Newbury
Several fillies will look to boost their Classic credentials in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes - better known as the Fred Darling - at Newbury, including Roger Charlton's Gavota.
GAVOTA will bid to earn herself a shot at a Classic in the Dubai Duty Free Stakes - better known as the Fred Darling - at Newbury on Saturday.
Roger Charlton's filly won the first two starts of her career before placing at Group level with creditable efforts in the Rockfel Stakes and the Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket.
She faces 10 other rivals in the Group 3 at the Berkshire course.
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to Gavota's owner, Khalid Abdullah, said: "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. Most fillies will be the same, I imagine, given the winter we've had."
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Grimthorpe suggested the possibility of sidestepping the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket with Gavota in favour of a trip across the Channel for the French equivalent.
He added: "I don't want to say she'd have to win to run in the Guineas, with all these races you just have to see.
"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.
"The whole point of these trials is to find out exactly where we are."
Richard Hannon's Tajaanus, already a winner at both Listed and Group 3 level, could be the biggest threat to the favourite.
Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "Tajaanus has wintered really well according to Richard and he is extremely happy with her heading into Saturday's race.
"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.
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"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."
Tajaanus is one of three Hannon representatives along with stablemates Natural and All Out.
Other contenders include Ed Vaughan's Listed winner Hikmaa, Mick Channon's Bath maiden winner of three weeks ago Dan's Dream and the Richard Fahey-trained Dance Diva.