York Dante meeting: So Mi Dar to call the tune in Musidora
Published:
David Metcalf | May 10, 2016
So Mi Dar can cement Oaks claims with success in Musidora
Trainer John Gosden has a good record in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York, and So Mi Dar looks a worthy favourite to further enhance it with victory in this year’s renewal of the 1m 2f contest (15.45).
The Newmarket handler has won the race four times, including three of the last five renewals. In So Mi Dar he has a filly who is unbeaten in two starts and put in a cracking effort in the last of those when taking on the boys to land the Investec Derby Trial at Epsom.
The daughter of the Group 1 winning mare Dar Re Mi raced keenly in the early stages before making good headway two from home to take up the running at the furlong marker.
Jockey Frankie Dettori then lost his whip at a crucial stage, but So Mi Dar responded kindly to a hands and heels ride to assert close to home and beat Humphrey Bogart by a comfortable neck.
Form worked out well
It was a most taking performance, and So Mi Dar is currently Coral’s 5/1 second favourite for the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday, June 3rd, on the back ot it.
The form of the race has also worked out extremely well, with Humphrey Bogart having since won the Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield and the third home Viren’s Army having landed the Dee Stakes at Chester.
This Group 3 contest demands more, but So Mi Dar looks potentially top drawer and can take the step up in class in her stride to confirm herself a leading Oaks contender.
Fireglow feared most
Best In The World is the sole representative for leading Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien and commands plenty of respect given powerful connections.
However she needs to step up significantly on the form shown in three runs so far, and Fireglow looks the one most likely to give So Mi Dar something to think about.
Trained by Mark Johnston, the filly was a tough and consistent sort as a juvenile when winning three times and twice finishing runner-up in Group 3 contests.
Fireglow never knows when she is beaten, and comes into the race on the back of a cracking fourth of 16 to Minding in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Although beaten 4 1/4 lengths by the current Oaks favourite (even-money with Coral), the daughter of Teofilo stuck to the task well and the extra two furlongs in this looks sure to suit.
The form of that Group 1 classic contest also sets the standard in this line-up, but Fireglow may prove vulnerable to something with a turn of foot and doesn’t have the same scope for improvement as So Mi Dar.
Coral’s top tip: So Mi Dar rates a solid bet to provide trainer John Gosden with another winner in the Musidora. Fireglow brings strong form to the table and looks the main danger.
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