Quality field for Dubai Duty Free feature

More than half of the 20 confirmations for this Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Stakes at Newbury Racecourse, UK, hold entries in the first fillies’ Classic of the season, the Group 1 1,000 Guineas.

The seven furlongs contest (formally registered as the Fred Darling Stakes) is the second race on day two of the Dubai Duty Free Spring Trials weekend and is among three Group 3 events on the prestigious card.

Among the intended runners is filly Tajaanus. Trained by Richard Hannon, the winner of last year’s Listed Sweet Solaro Stakes at Newmarket steps back to her winning distance after finishing behind subsequent Group 1 winner, Laurens, over a mile in Doncaster’s May Hill Stakes last September.

Included in her potential rivals are the unbeaten fillies Teppal and Worship, both trained by David Simcock, and Ed Vaughan’s Hikmaa and won the Listed Radley over this trip at Newbury last October.

As well as top-class action on track, spectators will have the chance to sample Dubai’s hospitality at the event, with complimentary dates and traditional Arabic coffee in the Dubai Duty Free Marquee adjacent to the parade ring. Visitors can also win free entry into the Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise and Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire draws.

Dubai Duty Free senior officials led by executive vice-chairman and CEO, Colm McLoughlin, Salah Tahlak, executive vice-president Corporate Services and Sinead Al Sibai, senior vicepresident Marketing will be in attendance to welcome guests from the UK racing and travel retail industries and to present trophies.