Stable News
25-05-2007 The early-season review (I) - Dalvina and Munaddam impress
THE ED Dunlop team have made a successful start to the 2007 Turf season with Dalvina and Munaddam already stamping their mark in stakes races.
Dalvina produced a most accomplished performance on her second appearance, winning the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket on May 6 to retain her unbeaten record.
In the colours of St Albans Bloodstock, she took the mile-and-a-quarter Listed race by the same six-length margin that Ouija Board did in 2004.
History shows that Lord Derby’s daughter of Cape Cross prevailed in the Oaks at Epsom next - the first of her seven Group 1 triumphs.
Dalvina
All at Gainsborough Stables are now hoping that Dalvina can produce something similar in the fillies’ Classic over a mile-and-a-half on June 1.
Ed comments: “We were thrilled with the way she won and definitely thought she would improve physically for her trial. She came out of the race well and looks to have done well for it. We will go to Epsom and hope for the best.
“I was especially thrilled for her owner-breeders and it is very exciting for us that, in the year Ouija Board has gone to stud, we have a filly good enough to feature prominently in the market for a domestic Classic.”
Munaddam has already built on his fine Dubai Carnival campaign - two wins and a second - with an encouraging Listed triumph over seven furlongs at Haydock (May 12). The five-year-old has this year really started to fulfil his undoubted potential and has some exciting engagements.
Ed assesses: “We have always rated Munaddam very highly and we chose that seven-furlong race at Haydock to see which distance we would favour this season - six, seven or a mile. Royston Ffrench rode him and it was interesting that he felt a mile would be within his compass, which opens various options.
Munaddam
“There is the Diomed at Epsom - although that is a little further than a mile. There is also the Queen Anne, which he could be supplemented for. He is in the Golden Jubilee, so it is a little bit up in the air as to where we are going - but he is a horse not to be underestimated. Whether he can keep going up the ladder is another matter.”
By Tony Rushmer
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