3 minute read
Fair Eva kept her unbeaten record intact with a hugely impressive display in the Princess Margaret Juddmonte Stakes at Ascot.
The daughter of Frankel made a big impression on her racecourse debut at Haydock last month and the subsequent victories of both the second, Nations Alexander, and the third, Miss Infinity, confirmed her place as ante-post favourite for next year's 1000 Guineas.
Roger Charlton's filly was the 4-6 favourite stepped up to Group Three level in the hands of Frankie Dettori and those who took the prohibitive odds had few worries throughout the six-furlong heat.
Dettori cut a confident figure in the saddle, with the popular Italian still motionless heading inside the final two furlongs.
Once asked to extend, Fair Eva displayed a sublime change of gear to leave the rest of the field trailing in her wake and she only had to be pushed out to score by four lengths - providing Frankel with his first Pattern-race success as a stallion.
Kilmah filled the runner-up spot, just ahead of Dainty Dandy in third.
Dettori said: "She's a very, very good filly.
"It took her 50 yards to get into top gear, but once she got into top gear at the furlong marker she put four lengths on the field.
"It's only her second run, so she's a work in progress.
"When the penny dropped she was very exciting."
Charlton said: "I'm so pleased for Prince Khalid (Abdullah, owner).
"He bred a great racehorse in Frankel. It brought a lot of people into racing and it's just tremendous that his progeny are doing so well.
"That was a huge performance, I thought. She's got that very professional way about her, she's a great walker and a great mover.
"Sometimes people say chestnut fillies can get a bit hot and bothered, but this filly has always been really good.
"She's a charming character to deal with and goes about her business like a real pro.
"Frankie doesn't do many flying dismounts for me, but it's nice to have one!
"I think it's important to talk to connections first (before making plans). She is entered in the Moyglare (Curragh, September 11). She clearly will get seven furlongs and hopefully a mile in due course.
"The Moyglare would come into the reckoning, I think, but we'll see."
Prince Khalid's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York next month could also be "an option" for Fair Eva.
He said: "We had huge expectations for her - it's so exciting.
"Form is one thing, class is another, and she really showed that.
"The Lowther would be an option, we'd also look at something like the Moyglare.
"We'll find her a schedule that makes her the best that she can be."
Trainer Mark Johnston was pleased with the performance of runner-up Kilmah.
He said: "A Listed win would be nice now, but, having said that, there are some Group races that might be tempting."