Dar goes on trial in Oaks talent show

The music impresario's filly opposes three other fillies vying for Oaks favouritism in a hot Muidora Stakes at York this afternoon.

While reporting that the filly is in good nick ahead of a competitive Musidora Stakes that will go a long way to sorting out the Oaks pecking order, the Newmarket trainer believes her pedigree suggests she cannot be rushed.

The trainer said: "She has only raced twice in her life and she is a late maturing type of filly, just like her mother (Darara) so, to that extent, I see it all ahead of her rather than just tomorrow.

"She's in good form — but it's just maiden form. The obvious one in the race is Jim Bolger's filly (Lush Lashes) who was beaten only two lengths in the Guineas. She looks the logical favourite."

The trouble for punters is that the form of Dar Re Mi's seven -length win at Sandown last month over today's trip has not had a chance to be assessed, with Iron Project and Albarouche, who finished second and third behind her, not due out again until Friday.

Inexperience, Gosden concedes, caught out his other talented filly Infalliable — who will now likely to tackle the Coronation Stakes — in finishing fourth behind Natagora in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Over-confidence, as he knows only too well, with such a talented but inexperienced filly cannot be justified. Aidan O'Brien's contender Moonstone, with whom Dar Re Mi is currently jostling with for outright Oaks favouritism, Cape Amber and Lushes Lashes are formidable opposition in an eight-strong field.

Last year's Derby-winning trainer trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam is hoping Cape Amber can put him back on the Classic trail after his leading hope Winker Watson missed the 2,000 Guineas and his back-up Fireside injuring himself in the Newmarket Classic.

He said: "I am pleased with her and she'll like the step up to one mile two (furlongs)."

James Eustace, the Newmarket handler, believes War Artist, a former South African sprinter who was bound for Saratoga but ended up with him by 'pure luck', can give him his first Group Two victory.

Eustace said: "It was a good run in the Abernant and he seems really well. To be honest, he didn't really get a run until the furlong pole. He has only got a 5lb penalty (for winning a Group 1 in South Africa), which is still going to make it very tough, but he is in good form and I can see him being thereabouts. "We've won a couple of Group Threes and a handful of Listed races but this is as good a chance that we've had of winning a Group Two."

Southern hemisphere-bred War Artist came under Eustace's care through a slice of good fortune.

The trainer said: "He was one of three horses who came over from South Africa en route to the States. Because of the quarantine laws, they had to first come to a European country for 60 days and a friend of mine asked whether I could take them at the last minute, which I could. This fellow ended up staying in England along without horse called Rippling Ring, who ended up with Paul Nicholls."

Firm, dry conditions will be ideal for War Artist and Eustace is more worried about the sharpness of York's six-furlongs.

"Six furlongs at Ascot would suit him down to the ground, but I'm not so sure about York," he said.

Kevin Prendergast is not a frequent visitor so, when he arrives with one from Ireland it should be noted. Today he saddles Haatef in the same race and he has made no secret of his hopes.

The sprinter hasn't appeared since winning the Diadem Stakes on quickening ground at Ascot last season, and the trainer said: "If the ground is similar I expect a big run from him."