Wednesday 14 September 2011
An unlucky third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2010, SARAFINA has enjoyed a perfect preparation for the 2011 edition of Europe’s richest race. After successes in the Gr 2 Prix Corrida and Gr 1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud this summer, SARAFINA returned to action on Sunday with a short neck victory in the Gr 2 Prix Foy Arc trial. Although the winning margin was not wide, the daughter of Refuse To Bend and Darshaan mare Sanariya did not find a gap until the last minute when she accelerated impressively under Christophe Lemaire. Trainer Alain de Royer Dupré declared, “That was exactly what we wanted. She didn’t have a hard race and found a lot at the finish.”
In other Arc de Triomphe trials, SHARETA finished third in the Gr 1 Prix Vermeille after leading the field on rain-sodden ground until half a furlong from home. This daughter of Sinndar who has already picked up the Gr 3 Prix Minerve at Deauville this summer could line up in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe but an alternative option will be the Gr 2 Prix de Royallieu.
Dalakhani colt VADAMAR also finished third, this time behind Reliable Man (Dalakhani) in the Gr 2 Prix Niel. Racing for the first time since finishing seventh in the Epsom Derby in June, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe has not been ruled out although he is likely to prefer the Gr 2 Prix du Conseil de Paris two weeks later.
Later on the Longchamp card, four-year-old Shamanova ran on well to take third place beaten just a short head and a neck in the Gr 3 Qatar Prix Gladiateur. This was the first attempt over two miles for the daughter of Danehill Dancer and Irish Oaks runner-up Shamadara, on ground which had become very soft after heavy rain during the afternoon, so was a very promising effort. Shamanova may race in the Gr 1 Prix du Cadran on Arc day.
A few days earlier at Doncaster, progressive filly Alanza (Dubai Destination) won her third consecutive start at Pattern level when taking the Gr 3 Sceptre Stakes for trainer John Oxx. The lightly-raced three-year-old now has plenty of options and she could travel abroad.
Updated on 14/09/2011.
