6 July 2019
Photos scoopdyga.com
Twelve 3-year olds, including one filly, will take Sunday the start of the first edition of the Qatar Prix Jean Prat (Gr1) run over 1,400 meters/7 furlongs. One expects a return to seasonal temperatures (22 ° C), that day in Deauville, and all eyes will be focused on the one who, last winter, was among the most anticipated classic hopes in Europe after winning the Dewhurst Stakes (gr1), over this same distance, by almost three lengths: Too Darn Hot (Dubawi). The son of the champion mare Dar Re Mi has not yet managed to win this season, since after having to bypass the Two Thousand Guineas because of an inflammation, he finished successively second of the Dante Stakes (Gr2) over 2,100m, then second in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Gr1) behind Phoenix of Spain, whom he had beaten last year, and finally third over the mile in the St. James's Palace Stakes (Gr1) at Royal Ascot. His trainer John Gosden seems to say the horse is on his best trip over 7 furlongs, and the new Qatar Prix Jean Prat fits him perfectly. The trainer also saddles Azano (Oasis Dream), winner of the Prix Paul de Moussac Longines (Gr3) recently over the Chantilly mile.
Second in the Jersey Stakes (Gr3) on the same distance at Royal Ascot, Space Blues (Dubawi) is his main rival on paper. Trained by Charlie Appleby for the Godolphin team, he had previously won two races, including a Listed at Epsom.
Another Godolphin runner but trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Royal Marine (Raven's Pass) won the Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère (Gr1) last year but he did not confirm this winter in Meydan nor later in Britain. The English cargo is completed by Fox Champion (Kodiac), trained by Richard Hannon, who won four consecutive races from October 2018 to May, when he won the German Two Thousand Guineas, the Mehl-Muhlens-Rennen (Gr2) before failing at Ascot, when he led at a good pace. Richard Hannon will also send Watan (Toronado) who was very close to Azano for his second trial this season before the latter went on to score at Chantilly.
On the French side, Munitions (War Front) and Graignes (Zoffanny) meet again, three months after filling the first two places of the Prix Djebel (Gr3) over 1,400 meters. They later finished ninth and fourth respectively in the French Two Thousand Guineas (Gr1) and come back on a shorter trip. Only 3 years old competing with his elders over the Prix du Palais-Royal's 7 furlongs lately, Urwald (Le Havre) did well, as well as the filly Pure Zen (Zoffanny), who fell with the honours against Obligate in the Prix de Sandringham (Gr3). Pretty Boy (Siyouni) did not show much so far this year.
Finally, the German raider Namos (Medicean) won against his elders recently in Baden-Baden's Silberne Peitsche (Gr3) over 6 furlongs and tries to reach new heights here.