Calare takes the Staffordstown under Doyle

Calare stayed on best to take the Listed Staffordstown Stud Stakes, providing owner Godolphin with a double on the card (earlier on the mark with Holistic Approach .

Trained in the UK by Charlie Appleby, the daughter of Dubawi won on her debut at Doncaster in June, before filling the runner-up spot on her next two starts in Listed contests at Sandown and Deauville respectively.

She had a far from clear passage when sixth on her last start at Deauville in August, and she was sent off at 8/1 today with James Doyle in the saddle.

Settled behind the leaders on the inner, the chestnut victor was ridden under two furlongs out. She was soon squeezed for room and was switched to the outer with a furlong to go.

As she came with her effort she attempted to bite Queen Anne's Lace before she got on with the job at hand, staying on best to score by three parts of a length. Bound (16's this morning and return 8's) finished second under Colm O'Donoghue for Aidan O'Brien, while the aforementioned Queen Anne's Lace (11/8fav) was a further three parts of a length back in third under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

Charlie Appleby also saddled the Kazimiera who went off at 7/2, and she could only manage fourth with William Buick in the saddle.

James Doyle said afterwards: "We're really pleased obviously. It got a bit tricky. We needed a little bit of luck which we didn't get the gap but when she got out she showed a nice turn of foot and quickened up well.

"She's alright and had the form in the race.

Regarding the attempted bite, Doyle added: "She's a bit of a character. It's usually not a bad sign and shows she has a bit of fire in her belly."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Stewards enquired into possible interference inside the final furlong involving Bound, ridden by C. O'Donoghue, placed second, Calare, ridden by James Doyle, placed first and Queen Anne's Lace (USA), ridden by P.J. Smullen, placed third, where it appeared that Queen Anne's Lace ran short of room and checked. Evidence was heard from the riders concerned. Having viewed the recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards made no alteration to the Judges' placings and took no further action.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson