Press Release
The John and Thady Gosden-trained FRIENDLY SOUL heads seven runners for the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York this Wednesday.
Owned and bred by George Strawbridge, the daughter of Kingman comes into the race unbeaten in two starts and looked an eye-catching winner on seasonal return earlier this month in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, where the first two home drew 12 lengths clear of the third. Ahead of her Tattersalls Musidora engagement her rider Kieran Shoemark said: “She was very impressive on her second start at Newmarket 10 days ago. She’ll hopefully improve plenty, and I look forward to riding her on a lovely galloping track at York”.
Trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan will be hoping CLASSICAL SONG can build on her juvenile form – a three-length maiden winner on second start at Sandown before finishing fourth at top level in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket when last season in October. On her chances Rossa Ryan said: “Her work at home has been lovely. She’s wintered really well and, judging by her two-year-old career, it looks like the step up in trip will suit her well, so I would have no fear on that front. I’ll be hoping she can run a nice race and is a filly that as the year goes on will progress very well.”
Ralph Beckett will saddle two daughters of Lope de Vega in the race, his second LA PASIONARA was an 85,000 guineas purchase at Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale by Oliver St Lawrence from Manister House Stud. She was winner on debut at Salisbury before finishing down the field on heavy ground in the Listed Montrose Fillies’ Stakes at Newmarket when last seen in November.
Charlie Johnston will be represented by FRANCOPHONE, a juvenile debutant winner at Ayr last August. Having been unsuccessful at Group level last year, connections are hopeful she can rebuild from her winning seasonal reappearance at Southwell over a mile. Charlie Johnston stated: “It’s obviously a fair jump up in class but we’ve always thought she was a filly who would be at home in pattern class – we’ll learn a lot more on Wednesday.”
MAYFAIR, the only maiden in the field will be the sole Irish challenger for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The daughter of Justify has finished second on her last two starts over seven furlongs.
The Andrew Balding trained SECRET SATIRE will step up in grade after a placed effort in Novice company at Sandown last month.
SINOLOGY completes the field fresh from her maiden success over 10 furlongs at Newbury for trainer David Simcock. Kirsten Rausing’s homebred is out of Madame Chiang, also trained by Simcock and winner of the 2014 Tattersalls Musidora who then went on to claim Group 1 glory.
