Fresh from her success in the July 21 Group 1 King George VI & Queen
Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, Gestut Burg Eberstein and Teruya Yoshida’s Danedream
annexed the Group 1 Grosser Preis von Baden for the second year in succession
after a fight for the spoils.
So impressive in this 12 months ago, the 7-10 favorite was made to work this
time by Ovambo Queen and Pastorius, but kept digging in for Andrasch Starke to
add a fifth top-level success. Kept close to the tepid early pace set by Next
Vision, the bay struck for home at the top of the stretch and had the stands’
rail to help as she first warded off the three-year-old Pastorius and then
Ovambo Queen to score by a half-length.
“The pace wasn’t really fast enough, so the margins weren’t that large, but
she always gave me a good feel and she really has the will to win — she is
absolutely determined,” Starke said.
Trainer Peter Schiergen added, “That wasn’t a real pacemaker, but Andrasch
soon realized that and kept her at it. Once she hits the front, there is no
stopping her.”
Danedream, who first entered the scene with a victory in the Group 2 Oaks
d’Italia in May 2011, scaled the heights in dramatic fashion last term by taking
Hoppegarten’s Group 1 Grosser Preis von Berlin by five lengths in July, this
contest — by six lengths from the top-class mare Night Magic — and the Group 1
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in record time.
Any doubters as to the merit of her five-length success in the latter race
have since been dispelled, with the runner-up Shareta winning the Group 1
Yorkshire Oaks and the third, fourth, fifth and sixth Snow Fairy, So You Think,
St Nicholas Abbey and Meandre all successful at Group 1 level subsequently.
Question marks had appeared over her after two off-the-board efforts and only
a workmanlike three-quarters-of-a-length verdict over Ovambo Queen in the May 20
Group 2 Grosser Preis der Badischen Unternehmer here in the interim period, but
she answered them in her indomitable style at Ascot last time.
This performance may have been below her battling display against Nathaniel
at Ascot, but she kept herself firmly in the picture for another tilt at the Arc
at Longchamp October 7.
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