Tattersalls Musidora Stakes
Group 3, York £75,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
Wednesday 14th May 2014

1 Madame Chiang 8/1
2 Lily Rules 7/1
3 Regardez 13/2
NR: Eastern Belle
9 ran Distances: 1¼l, 2½l, 1¼l
TIME 2m 11.04s (slow by 3.54s)

Madame Chiang shortened to a general 10/1 chance for the Investec Oaks after winning the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York.

Trained by David Simcock, Madame Chiang came into the Classic trial having only her second start and showed signs of greenness despite landing the race by a length and a quarter from the Tony Coyle-trained Lily Rules.

Jockey Kieren Fallon was happy to play the waiting game as the Queen's Shama set a strong gallop under Ryan Moore for much of the extended 10-furlong journey.

Madame Chiang was still last rounding the home turn and plenty appeared to be going better, but Fallon persevered and his mount responded generously to run to the lead passing the furlong marker.

Lily Rules did her best to make a race of it, but Madame Chiang was well on top as she passed the post with a length and a quarter in hand.

Regardez ran with plenty of promise in third, but both favourite Cambridge and Queen Of Ice were disappointing.

Fallon was full of praise for his mount following the race and thinks there is still more to come from the filly, especially when she is stepped up in trip.

"I had to work hard on her, but we did go quite quick," said Fallon.

"She's a beautiful big filly and David had a lot of confidence in her. Miss Rausing (the owner) deserves a nice filly. She's got plenty of horses in training and I think she's got one here.

"The ground wouldn't be an issue with her and all she'll do is improve. She didn't do a tap in front and I just had to give her a couple of flicks to keep her going.

"We went a strong gallop and I thought it was a good trial."

Simcock said: "I'm delighted with her. She's a big filly, still a little bit on the weak side, and she certainly appreciated getting her toe in. She raced like she works, slightly lazily - she wouldn't be spectacular at home.

"We couldn't come here and be confident, but she's healthy and she's well and she stayed well. I don't think it would be fair to her to step foot on firm ground at this stage of her career. Cut in the ground is very important to her.

"She'll stay well and I'll discuss with the owner whether she wants to run her in the Oaks or not. If it came up with cut in the ground it (Epsom) would certainly be an option. France (French Oaks) is an option as well. It's something we'll discuss.

"She has a great attitude and is still asleep and can only get better. Kieren said she pricked her ears when she hit the front. Kieren rides for me when I think he suit's the horse. The type that are off the bridle early - he's good at picking them up."

Tattersalls Musidora Stakes
£80,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
9 ran
Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places