Crucial flies home in Auraria

The G3 Auraria Stakes has been won by some high-class fillies in its rich history and Darley-homebred Crucial added her name to the honour roll when the Nadeem filly overcame the outside barrier to score.

Having been settled at the rear by Vlad Duric, Crucial came widest of all in the straight and let down with a powerful finish to charge home over the top of her rival fillies and win the 1800m contest going away over Rahveel and Crimson Lady.

The Auraria is the third win from 11 starts for the Anthony Freedman-trained Crucial who becomes the fourth Stakes winner for sire, the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Nadeem.

Crucial is the first foal of her dam Dawn Attack, a daughter of Fantastic Light. Dawn Attack has a two-year-old colt by Commands named Saker, a 2011 colt by Medaglia d’Oro and was covered last season by Domesday.

Dawn Attack is a half-sister to the G1 Irish Derby and Irish 2000 Guineas winner Desert King, a son of Danehill, the grandsire of Nadeem.