Tag: Nashwa (GB)

Frankel’s Nashwa Too Good In The Nassau

Class has told all week so far at the Qatar Goodwood Festival and on Thursday it was the turn of TDN Rising Star Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) to excel in the G1 Qatar Nassau S. Sent off the 6-5 favourite having loped to post like an old hand under Hollie Doyle, Imad Al Sagar's G1 Prix de Diane heroine cruised from rear down the outer to swoop on the front end with a furlong remaining and assert for an ultimately-comfortable 1 3/4-length success from the 40-1 outsider Aristia (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), with Lilac Road (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) half a length behind in third. “I am very emotional when it comes to her–she is my first Classic-winning homebred and is a future broodmare for Blue Diamond,” Al Sagar commented. “We noticed from early in her career that she was special, but how special we didn't know. Since April she has developed at a very fast pace physically and mentally.”

 

Labelled a TDN Rising Star following her emphatic 6 1/2-length success on her 3-year-old bow over a mile at Haydock Apr. 23, Nashwa has continued to grow in stature with each passing week and her smooth win in Newbury's Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. over a mile and a quarter May 14 was followed by a game third in the Oaks which stretched her too far. Back in action 16 days later when she provided her jockey and her owner-breeder with personal landmarks in the Diane at an appreciative Chantilly, this was a quick enough turnaround with all that action in the background but the signs cantering down were all positive.

That perfect rhythm she displayed on the way to the start was also there in the race, where she accepted restraint with total compliance as the match made in heaven with her rider deepens further each time they join together. Always well within her comfort zone, she was asked to close as the front-running Dreamloper (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) failed to get away approaching two out and was able to make up the deficit with ease. Picking up the unexposed fellow 3-year-old Fonteyn (GB) (Farhh {GB}) and Aristia soon after, the bay strode to the line typically powerfully to give the impression she was in a class of her own despite the final margins.

Hollie Doyle provided her lowdown after. “She gave me some feel. A change of tactics today from France, but it paid off,” she said. “Nashwa is A1, you can't fault her. I rode her aggressively in France because we had a good draw and I wanted to hold my position. Today, in between her work from her previous run, she now knows what she is doing so I didn't want to light her up and ride her from a pace angle. I came down the hill with a double handful. She travels very well, but she takes a while to hit top gear.”

“This is her perfect trip,” Doyle added. “She has a high cruising speed and sees it out very well. She is push-button and you can ride her anywhere, which is really nice. Nashwa is a horse of a lifetime and if it wasn't for Imad Al Sagar giving me this opportunity, I might not have enjoyed days like this. Every group one means a lot, so you've got to enjoy it while it lasts because you get home tonight and you'll be back into work mode for the next day. You have limited time to enjoy these moments.”

Al Sagar added, “The important part of it is I own the family. She was not disgraced in the Oaks, but ran out of stamina–we didn't know beforehand about the trip and found out. It was a beautiful performance in the French Oaks and to do that with only 16 days between two Classics, she must be very special. Our target will be the Prix de l'Opera on Arc day and then the Breeders' Cup [Filly & Mare Turf]. She has had a very busy season and we definitely would not want to overdo it. She will be kept in training at four and I think she will be better then–the whole family thrive with age.”

John Gosden said, “We have relaxed in last and what they've done is suddenly pull the pace up. If you look at the fractions, they did two 14-second furlongs in the middle, which is as slow as you can go. Coming from last made it tough on her, as they are quickening down the hill but Nashwa has got the class and when the ground levelled off she was happier. She is versatile to do that from off the pace. I think next time we might have to put a pacemaker in.”

Aristia was running the race of her life and trainer Richard Hannon said of the runner-up, “Aristia is always a filly that runs massively above what you were expecting. For some reason she did not come in her coat until well after Ascot. We have got her back right and she looks a million. She ran a super race and we have got the rest of the season to look forward to. Everything is an option now. She is a filly with an awful lot of scope. There are some lovely races coming up and I would love to hope that she will stay in training for next year.”

Maureen Haggas said of Lilac Road, “I thought she ran great. She did not get the smoothest run through, which often happens at Goodwood. In the last 50 yards she flew–I am thrilled with her. Looking at that, I think we could step her up to 12 furlongs happily and she is getting better as she has never been easy. We went down first and she wasn't too bad today. She is settling in her races and has galloped right to the line. I don't know what plans there might be. She is well worth keeping at this standard, and William will find something and talk to Jon and Julia [Aisbitt] and work out a plan.”

Nashwa's dam Princess Loulou (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) took time to fulfil her potential, finishing second in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet as a 4-year-old before closing out her career with success in the Listed Gillies Fillies' S. She is a granddaughter of the Listed Princess Elizabeth S. runner-up Sweeping (GB) (Indian King), who produced the dual listed-winning sprinter Watching (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who was also runner-up in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene. Sweeping is also the second dam of the listed scorer Nufoos (GB) (Zafonic), who in turn produced three black-type winners in the G1 Middle Park S. and G2 Mill Reef S. hero Awzaan (GB) (Alhaarth {Ire}), the G3 Sweet Solera S. winner Muraaqaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the Listed Sandringham H. winner and dual group 3-placed Muteela (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Also related to the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Ball Lightning (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and the GIII Will Rogers S. scorer Media Mogul (GB) (First Trump {GB}), Princess Loulou's filly by Decorated Knight (Ire) is entered in the upcoming Arqana Deauville August Yearling Sale (lot 93). She also has a colt foal by Dubawi (Ire) and is carrying a full-sister to Nashwa at present.

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
QATAR NASSAU S.-G1, £600,000, Goodwood, 7-28, 3yo/up, f/m, 9f 197yT, 2:05.77, g/f.
1–NASHWA (GB), 126, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Princess Loulou (Ire) (SW-Eng, G1SP-Fr, GSP-Ire, $175,317), by Pivotal (GB)
     2nd Dam: Aiming (GB), by Highest Honor (Fr)
     3rd Dam: Sweeping (GB), by Indian King
O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Hollie Doyle. £340,260. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, 6-4-0-2, $1,144,433. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Aristia (Ire), 135, f, 4, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Aloisi (GB), by Kalanisi (Ire).
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. (85,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Mrs E Roberts; B-Rathasker Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £129,000.
3–Lilac Road (Ire), 135, f, 4, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Lavender Lane (Ire), by Shamardal.
1ST G1 BLACK TYPE. O/B-Jon and Julia Aisbitt (IRE); T-William Haggas. £64,560.
Margins: 1 3/4, HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.20, 40.00, 7.50.
Also Ran: Fonteyn (GB), Dreamloper (Ire), One For Bobby (Ire), Rogue Millennium (Ire), Concert Hall (Ire). Scratched: Ville De Grace (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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World Leader Baaeed Set to Light Up Goodwood

The unbeaten Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), the world's top-rated turf horse, will return to the racecourse on July 27 for the G1 Qatar Sussex S., in which he looks set to face the 2,000 Guineas and St James's Palace S winner Coroebus (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}).

The clash of the Shadwell and Godolphin stars will be one of the highlights of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting, which gets underway next Tuesday.

William Haggas, who has trained Baaeed to eight straight victories, including four Group 1 wins, said on Tuesday in Newmarket at a media event organised by Goodwood Racecourse, “We are all set to go with Baaeed, hopefully. He worked this morning and, provided everything is ok over the next couple of days, we are away and will see what evolves.”

He continued: “Coroebus is obviously a high-class horse. Two of ours [My Prospero and Maljoom] finished third and fourth behind him in the St James's Palace S., not beaten far. I was not that impressed with him–and I have to be careful because he is a very smart horse–but I don't think he was at his best that day. I think Maljoom, and I don't think this is just trainer talk, would have won in another couple of strides. At the moment, there is a fair bit of distance between Baaeed and Maljoom.”

The trainer indicated that Baaeed, who has only ever raced at a mile, will step up to 10 furlongs for his next start after Goodwood.

“I don't think Baaeed has much to prove but his pedigree smacks of further,” Haggas said. “He relaxes so well, he has a great mind, and I would love to see him over further at York in Juddmonte International. I remember so vividly when Frankel won that race, it was like a piece of work for him. Anyone who was there, it made your hairs stand up because he was imperious. I hope that Baaeed would be able to travel as strongly and then be able to use his turn of foot. I am very keen to have a go.

“We are just starting to say amongst ourselves in the yard that we need to prepare for life after him–which I know sounds a bit pathetic–because he won't be around for us to enjoy next year. Finding another one is the target.”

Haggas is also likely to run Cheveley Park Stud's Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) in the G2 World Pool Lennox S.

“[It] looks the obvious race for Sacred, as she likes seven furlongs and fast ground. We are going to leave her in the Qatar Sussex S. at the owner's request, just in case the race cuts up, but seven is her best trip,” he said.

“We will run only one in the Qatar Nassau S. and it will either be Lilac Road (Ire), who wants fast ground, or My Astra (Ire), who can't have it soft enough. I suspect it will be Lilac Road, because we have had this in mind since she won the Middleton. It is her part-owner Julia Aisbitt's birthday on Nassau day, so this looks a good target.”

As well as the Lope De Vega (Ire) filly My Astra, Haggas also hopes to run Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), for the same owner, Sunderland Holdings, in the G3 Qatar Lillie Langtry S.

“She won over a mile and five furlongs at Lingfield last year, so she will stay the trip well. She is very tough and very hardy, but I can't see anything beating Free Wind if she puts up a performance similar to Haydock,” he added.

Baaeed will share top billing at Goodwood with Bjorn Nielsen's star stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who will have the spotlight firmly on him on the opening day of the meeting when he is set to line up for the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup for the fifth time. He notched his first of four wins in the contest in 2017 and missed last year's race after heavy rain turned the ground against him.

His co-trainer John Gosden said: “Stradivarius is happy. He has maintained his enthusiasm for the game throughout and enjoys his training. We couldn't really be more pleased with him for a chap at this stage of his career, so we are very much looking forward to it.”

He added, “You are very lucky to have a horse or a racemare like that ever come to you, and then to enjoy their longevity and their amazing consistency at that top level. That is testament to the horse, the breeder, and to have that constitution is pretty remarkable. That is probably what has been so fulfilling and the fact he is rather like Enable was. Expressive, rather outgoing, joyous.”

Reflecting on the remarkable career of the 8-year-old, who will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Gosden added: “His first Goodwood Cup and his first Gold Cup would be the highlights. Winning the Goodwood Cup as a 3-year-old and then the Gold Cup as a 4-year-old. He has built on that down the years. There aren't many Flat horses who stay around like him. I always remember when Rachel and I came back from America.

“It is pretty set who the key horses are in the Goodwood Cup. We're happy at two miles or two and a half miles. Stradivarius would run a big race over a mile and a half. So, to that extent, I have been pleased with him all along and we're looking forward to it. He is quick on his feet and agile. That always helps around Goodwood. It is a downward, turning track and he probably enjoys the twists and turns of it. He probably finds it quite entertaining, like a fairground ride.”

Goodwood will also see the return of Imad Al Sagar's G1 Prix de Diane winner Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is set to line up for the G1 Qatar Nassau S. on the Thursday of the meeting, while Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a likely starter for Saturday's G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry S.

“Nashwa has been very well since France,” said co-trainer Thady Gosden. “She ran in the Oaks and then backed up a few days later in France, which is a pretty serious testament to her. She had a pretty hard race at Epsom and ran an exceptional race. She didn't quite stay but still managed to come third. She has been a bit quiet since France as you would expect. She travelled all the way over to Chantilly and ran a huge race there, but she is coming back to herself now and seems in good shape for next week.”

He added, “It is a huge achievement for an owner-breeder to have a horse of this calibre. It is a very competitive game and a real testament to Imad Al Sagar, Blue Diamond [Stud] and all of the team for breeding a filly like her.”

Of George Strawbridge's Lillie Langtry S. contender, he said: “Free Wind didn't have the smoothest trip round at Haydock last time out, but she came out of that race in great form.

“She has won at Goodwood and is pretty versatile with regards to trip and running style. You can drop her in wherever you like. She doesn't want extremes, but she handles most ground.”

 

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History For Hollie Doyle As Frankel’s Nashwa Wins The Diane

If riding Classic winners came down to sheer ability alone, there was never a question that Hollie Doyle would achieve the landmark sometime soon but even the best need the horse to get it done and on Sunday she had just that as Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) conquered Chantilly's G1 Prix de Diane Longines. So good by this point, Doyle has almost transcended the subject of female jockeys winning Europe's monuments but it still had to happen and in Imad Al Sagar's TDN Rising Star she had the ideal portal to the promised land. Sent off the 3-1 favourite with the deadly combination of the best form, having been third in the Oaks 13 days earlier, and a perfect inside berth, the bay was caught in front from the break with no takers for the pace-setting role. Tending to race a touch free as a result, the question was what would the Gosdens' raider have for the finish when taking command just over 300 metres from the line. Despite the attack of Peter Bradley and the Lerners' La Parisienne (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}), there was always something in the tank and the prevailing margin was a short neck, with 4 1/2 lengths back to Rosacea (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) in third.

“I haven't got the words to explain how I feel–I am privileged to be in the position I am in,” she said. “She's very good, as things didn't pan out how I wanted but she has plenty of class and responded to pressure. She's a star. It's such a prestigious race and this is a huge honour.” John Gosden said of the winning jockey, “She's a very talented rider with great character. The race was a muddle and we didn't intend to be on the front, but it came out well. This is the filly's distance–the Oaks was too far.”

Nashwa debuted in the seven-furlong Newmarket novice in October dominated by the classy Haggas runner Golden Lyra (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and ran the kind of race full of promise expected of a future Oaks winner, before earning TDN Rising Star status with a 6 1/2-length romp on her comeback at a mile at Haydock Apr. 23. Prepping for her Classic in Newbury's Listed Haras de Bouquetot Fillies' Trial S. over a mile and a quarter May 14, she continued to excite with a smooth win from Stay Alert (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) who in a twist of fate would go on to beat Golden Lyra in the Listed Abingdon S. next time. Epsom-bound despite initial talk of coming here, Nashwa gave a solid display to follow home Tuesday (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) over a trip that stretched her on a track that also looked to have compromised her, but this was the kind of quick turnaround for which Gosden Sr is not renowned.

Helped by being handed a golden draw in two, with the 5-1 second favourite Agave (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) on her inside, Nashwa was sent forward from the break to take full advantage but ended up exposed in the front line until Ioritz Mendizabal crossed over on Tariyana (Fr) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). With that filly providing only brief cover, Doyle was committed to staying at the fore matching strides with Olivier Peslier on Agave and they straightened for home together prepared for what seemed to be a private match. By the time they passed the 300-metre marker, the Juddmonte filly was beginning to back out of the fight and it was Gerald Mosse and La Parisienne who emerged from behind as the biggest threat. Having been smuggled up the rail, the 22-1 shot looked to have been delivered with perfect timing but Nashwa gave generously to keep her at bay and provide her rider with the milestone victory. There was a moment of great sportsmanship and kinship after the line, with the veteran maestro Mosse demonstrating his class and confirming why he is widely held with such distinction in racing by congratulating his ground-breaking young jockey rival.

“I've got a lot of people to thank,” Doyle said. “Without Imad Al Sagar I don't know if I would ever have been in the position to get an opportunity like this. These types of horses are hard to come upon and I'm only 25, so it's relatively early on in my career and I feel pretty lucky. I felt very vulnerable at the two-furlong pole, I'm not going to lie. It was a muddling race and I felt beforehand someone would be a bit more decisive pace-wise than they were. I didn't really want to be where I was, but she was very relaxed and happy to be one off the rail with a bit of company either side. She's versatile and responsive when needs be. When the second horse came to my girths she really dug deep, which was great to see. I think she could be even better next year.”

“If you'd said to me three years ago that I would be riding in a Classic for Mr Gosden I'd have laughed,” she added. “To be in this position is incredible and when you ride at this level, the trainer has done all they can and the owner has put you in position, so it's down to me on the day. I just expect a lot from myself and I don't want to let people down. You have to prepare yourself to be at your best when given the opportunity and that's what I try and do.”

John Gosden continued his praise of the rider and said, “The owner-breeder Imad Al Sagar said to me two or three years ago that he had two or three jockeys he was looking at and wanted to retain a jockey. He showed me the list and I said 'Hollie Doyle', and I know other people would back me on that. She's hugely talented and horses run for her. She's incredibly meticulous and hard-working and she analyses things properly. The race didn't work out how we thought, but we did have the Plan B to stay forward if that occurred and she's shown herself as a class rider and the filly is a class filly who was beautifully ridden. I am proud and Thady is extremely proud, because it's the youth team teaming up again. It's quite obvious that I'll be surplus to requirements quite soon with the youthful Thady and Hollie!”

Of Nashwa's immediate target, he added, “I think she'll have a freshen up. She's run in two Oaks, which is tough, but she seemed remarkably calm after the race and was having a very natural, normal blow. Star of Seville won this a few days after the Oaks, but she didn't have a hard race there as she was stopped three out and just hacked home. One race that stands out is the Prix de l'Opera and I think if we make that our big target and come back from there, that would be the way to play it. I think she definitely deserves a freshen up and a summer holiday now.”

The €65,000 Arqana Deauville Select Yearling Sale graduate La Parisienne had looked one of the better outsiders, having won impressively at Deauville and Saint-Cloud before finding only Hidden Dimples (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) too strong in the 11-furlong Listed Prix de la Seine. Bought into by the Kentucky-based Peter Bradley earlier this year, she has provided handsome reward for that 70% investment with Marc Leonetti, JML Racing, Meridian International and Remy Dupuy-Naulot also involved. The original plan had been to send her to Chad Brown this year, but there was no decision immediately after Sunday's race, just mass celebration of playing such a key role in the Classic.

Yann Lerner was overcome with emotion at the performance of the runner-up and said, “It is almost a victory and to participate in such races with a chance is what we dream about all the time. She had a perfect trip, she came out in time to win it but the winner was too good.” Yann's father Carlos added, “We have always like this filly, who was bred at Haras du Cadran by my long-time friend Pierre Talcard. He had recommended me to buy her at the yearling sales and I did well to follow his advice.” Gerard Larrieu, representing Rosacea's owner Haras de la Perelle, commented, “She ran a great race and Christophe Soumillon was very happy with her effort. She finished strongly, showed her usual turn of foot but with the bad draw she was left with too much to do.”

Nashwa, who is the eighth Classic winner for her sire, is the third foal out of the Listed Gillies Fillies' S. winner and G1 Prix Jean Romanet runner-up Princess Loulou (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}). She is a granddaughter of the Listed Princess Elizabeth S. runner-up Sweeping (GB) (Indian King), who produced the dual listed-winning sprinter Watching (GB) (Indian Ridge {Ire}) who was also runner-up in the G2 Prix du Gros-Chene here. Sweeping is also the second dam of the listed scorer Nufoos (GB) (Zafonic), who in turn produced three black-type winners in the G1 Middle Park S. and G2 Mill Reef S. hero Awzaan (GB) (Alhaarth {Ire}), the G3 Sweet Solera S. winner Muraaqaba (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the Listed Sandringham H. winner and dual group 3-placed Muteela (GB) (Dansili {GB}). Also related to the G2 Keio Hai Nisai S. winner Ball Lightning (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) and the GIII Will Rogers S. scorer Media Mogul (GB) (First Trump {GB}), Princess Loulou's yearling filly is by Decorated Knight (Ire) while she also has a colt foal by Dubawi (Ire).

Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE DIANE LONGINES-G1, €1,000,000, Chantilly, 6-19, 3yo, f, 10 1/2fT, 2:06.63, g/s.
1–NASHWA (GB), 126, f, 3, by Frankel (GB)
     1st Dam: Princess Loulou (Ire) (SW-Eng, G1SP-Fr & GSP-Ire, $175,317), by Pivotal (GB)
     2nd Dam: Aiming (GB), by Highest Honor (Fr)
     3rd Dam: Sweeping (GB), by Indian King
1ST GROUP WIN; 1ST GROUP 1 WIN. TDN Rising Star. O-Imad Al Sagar; B-Blue Diamond Stud Farm (UK) Ltd (GB); T-John & Thady Gosden; J-Hollie Doyle. €571,400. Lifetime Record: SW & G1SP-Eng, 5-3-0-2, €696,538. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–La Parisienne (Fr), 126, f, 3, Zarak (Fr)–Skysweeper (Fr), by Hurricane Run (Ire).
1ST GROUP BLACK-TYPE; 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. (€65,000 Ylg '20 ARQSEP). O-Peter R Bradley III, Marc Leonetti, Ecurie JML Racing, Meridian International SARL & Remy Dupuy-Naulot; B-Ecurie Haras du Cadran, Ecurie Patrick Klein & SCEA Haras du Ma (FR); T-Carlos & Yann Lerner. €228,600.
3–Rosacea (Ire), 126, f, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Relizane (GB), by Zamindar.
1ST GROUP 1 BLACK-TYPE. O/B-Haras de la Perelle (IRE); T-Stephane Wattel. €114,300.
Margins: SNK, 4HF, 3/4. Odds: 3.00, 22.00, 10.00.
Also Ran: Agave (GB), Fall In Love (Ire), Daisy Maisy (GB), Zellie (Fr), Tariyana (Fr), Beaute Cachee (Fr), Place du Carrousel (Ire), Babala (Ire), Toy (Ire), Times Square (Fr), Queen Trezy (Fr), Yukata (Ire), Nadette (Fr), Galla (Fr). Scratched: Ottilien (Fr). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Nashwa Poised For Diane Challenge

High fashion and summer celebration moves from Ascot to Chantilly on Sunday, with the G1 Prix de Diane Longines the feature prize. Imad Al Sagar's 'TDN Rising Star' Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) comes off a fine third in the Oaks over a mile-and-a-half trip that may have stretched her and provided she is suffering no major hangover from that effort is primed to provide Hollie Doyle with her first Classic.

With honours roughly even in recent times between the French and the visitors, she presents a major obstacle to the home defence which has been successful in only three of the last seven editions. Al Wasmiyah Racing's G1 Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Zellie (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Juddmonte's G3 Prix Penelope winner Agave (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) have favourable low draws and spearhead a four-strong assault from the Andre Fabre stable. The former, who was fourth in the G1 1000 Guineas, moves up in trip but there is ample stamina on the dam's side which features the high-class Pride (Fr) (Peintre Celebre) while Agave boasts Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) as a relation. She had looked potentially special until meeting her nemesis in Saint-Cloud's G2 Prix Greffulhe and, while she was undone by Onesto (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in that May 8 contest typically used as a Derby prep, time may prove that she faced a tough task against that colt.

 

Join The Ride

Alongside Zellie and Agave, Andre Fabre also has Al Shaqab Racing and Ballylinch Stud's G3 Prix Cleopatre winner Place du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) and the Wertheimers' impressive May 29 ParisLongchamp conditions winner Babala (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Place du Carrousel's form has a line to the Oaks via the Cleopatre third Kawida (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) and, if taken literally, that leaves her with something to find with Nashwa but Fabre is a master of the targeted slow-build and she is unlikely to have been too close to a peak on that occasion. Subsequently second to Above the Curve (American Pharoah) when asked the impossible in the G1 Prix Saint-Alary at ParisLongchamp May 29, she has a draw in eight which is on the verge of acceptable and provided she isn't positioned too far back by Mickael Barzalona will be making her presence felt late.

 

Doleuze's Dream Girl

Team Valor International's relentless pursuit of Classic glory continues apace on Sunday with the filly owned in partnership with Marco Saviozzi, Nadette (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}). She had Jean-Claude Rouget's chief Diane hope Yukata (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) back in third, with the highly-regarded Juddmonte-Fabre project Raclette (GB) (Frankel {GB}) further behind, in the nine-furlong Listed Prix Finlande at ParisLongchamp May 19.

“She's in full bloom,” commented trainer Romain Le Dren Doleuze, the son of Georges Doleuze who won this on Dunette (Fr) (Hard to Beat {Ire}) in 1979 and brother of Olivier who also captured it on Egyptband (Dixieland Band) in the millennium year. “We let her develop in her own time as a 2-year-old by allowing her to grow into her frame during the winter. Now we're reaping the rewards.”

 

Daisy, Give Me Your Answer Do

Gitte Poulsen-Allaire gets the chance to have her colours carried in a Classic by a genuine contender in Daisy Maisy (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), who was behind the re-opposing Times Square (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) and Rosacea (Ire) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) when fifth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp May 15. The wife of the prominent trotting figure Philippe Allaire, her filly was also second in the G3 Prix de la Grotte there Apr. 17. Trainer Yann Barberot said, “She will be my first runner in such a prestigious race and I'm really happy. It's a challenge with a fun element and I think that the longer distance should suit her. If the thunderstorms materialise and the ground eases, it won't be a problem. Her breeder, Thierry de la Héronnière, came to see her and he concluded that she has done very welĺ physically. A gorgeous type, she almost looks like a colt. The Allaire colours are going great guns, as they again made their mark in group contests [for trotters] at Vincennes last Saturday. I hope that the filly won't embarrass them.”

 

Key Support

In the supporting races, there are a pair of bluebloods fit to grace the day in The Aga Khan's 'TDN Rising Star' Erevann (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) and the Wertheimers' Goldistyle (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}). The former, who was labelled a 'TDN Rising Star' on debut at Deauville in October, beat the subsequent Listed Prix Ridgway winner Haya Zark (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}) in a conditions event over this trip at Saint-Cloud Mar. 29 and meets Godolphin's May 15 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains third Tribalist (GB) (Farhh {GB}) in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac Longines over a mile. Goldistyle, a daughter of Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), tackles the G3 Prix Bertrand du Breuil Longines having looked more than ready for the challenge when taking the May 15 Listed Prix Maurice Zilber. In the G3 Prix du Bois Longines, Scuderia Semeso and Sebastiano Guerrieri's impressive May 22 Listed Premio Alessandro Perrone winner New Collection (GB) (Brazen Beau {Aus}) flies the flag for the Italian juveniles. The G3 Prix du Lys Longines, a warm-up for the G1 Grand Prix de Paris, sees the May 1 Listed Prix de l'Avre winner Martel (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) represent the Wertheimer-Fabre link.

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