Rosa Imperial heads Godolphin’s Deauville contenders
4 August, 2017
Unbeaten sprinter Rosa Imperial features among a trio of Andre Fabre-trained three-year-olds aiming for Group race glory at Deauville, France, on Sunday, August 6, with Mickael Barzalona partnering all three of the Godolphin runners.
The progressive Pivotal filly steps up to G1 level for the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs following two comfortable wins at Maisons-Laffitte, a length success in the six-furlong G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis on June 28 and a ready victory in the Listed Prix Hampton over five furlongs on June 10.
She opened her account with a nose verdict on debut in a six-furlong maiden at Fontainebleau on May 18.
Rosa Imperial, drawn nine, faces 13 rivals in the Prix Maurice de Gheest headed by dual G1 victor Caravaggio, last year’s winner Signs Of Blessing and US challenger Bound For Nowhere.
Lisa Jane-Graffard of Godolphin commented: “Rosa Imperial is unbeaten in three starts but this is a big step up to G1 company and she is coming up against some very good sprinters.
“She has done nothing wrong in her races so far and is an improving filly. Hopefully, this race will tell us a bit more about her.”
Kitesurf, a daughter of Dubawi, drops down to G2 level for the extended 12-furlong G2 Prix de Pomone after fading to 10th over two furlongs shorter in the G1 Prix de Diane at Chantilly on June 18.
She stayed on well for a decisive success in the G3 Prix de Royaumont over a mile and a half at Chantilly on June 4.
Kitesurf meets five older fillies and mares, including G3 winner Bateel, three-time Listed scorer Abingdon and G2 winner The Juliet Rose.
Lisa Jane-Graffard of Godolphin continued: “Kitesurf has enjoyed a good break since the Prix de Diane and the step back up in distance will not be a problem.
“She is a nice filly and it would be lovely if she can prove herself at G2 level.”
Parabellum also goes for a lesser class race in the G3 Prix de Reux, run over the same distance as the Prix de Pomone, following a staying-on sixth in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over a mile and a half at Saint-Cloud on July 14.
The Dubawi colt gained a comprehensive eight-length success in a maiden, also over 12 furlongs at Saint-Cloud, on June 15 and takes on six rivals.
Lisa Jane-Graffard of Godolphin added: “Parabellum is very well and didn’t have a very hard race in the Grand Prix de Paris, partly due to the way the race was run and his own inexperience.
“He has come on very well since then. This is a competitive race but he gets a nice pull at the weights with some of the older horses and we are looking forward to seeing how he gets on.”
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