3 minute read

Ralph Beckett cast his thoughts towards Ireland as Moonstone Magic earned herself a Classic mission of some sort when coming well away from the opposition to take the Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury.

The recognised 1000 Guineas trial, better known as the Fred Darling, had not attracted a high-profile field, but no-one had even set eyes on Moonstone Magic on a racecourse until just over a week ago, when she won a maiden at Leicester.

Jim Crowley dropped the well-backed 7-2 shot to the rear of the field, but gradually began to mount a challenge on the wide outside and helped her to quicken three and three-quarter lengths clear of Radio Gaga, who was nine lengths clear of Beckett's third-placed Electrelane.

"She was too big to run last year and her dam (Woodcock Moon) had such bad knees I never even ran her," said the trainer.

"She needs some give in the ground. She's not in anything, but she'll have to run in a Guineas - maybe the Irish will be most suitable."

Andrew Balding's Minimise Risk (15-8 favourite) survived a stewards' inquiry after a narrow defeat of Uriah Heep in the Bathwick Tyres Maiden Stakes.

The trainer said: "Jamie Spencer felt he had a hard enough race, but he's a horse with a good future. He is in the Derby and we were thinking of the Lingfield trial if he won."