So eyecatching when closing into second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains
(Fr-G1), Khalid Abdullah’s New Bay (Dubawi) will have to overcome another wide
impost in Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club (Fr-G1) at Chantilly.
Positioned in 16 for that May 10 Longchamp classic, the homebred still
managed to end up just three lengths adrift of stable companion Make Believe (Makfi)
and has been handed the unfavorable 13 stall in this contest, which is so often
influenced by the draw. As on his last two starts, he will be partnered by the
jump-racing sensation Vincent Cheminaud as Andre Fabre puts more big
opportunities on the level his way.
“I think he’s going to have a very good chance,” said the master of
Chantilly, who is after a fourth renewal, in his typically understated way. “He
proved himself in the Poulains. He was drawn wide and finished well. He is a
horse that should enjoy the extra distance and all is well with him. New Bay
enjoys the good ground, which it will be on Sunday.”
Another drawn high is the Aga Khan’s Karaktar (High Chaparral) in stall 12,
while the fortunes have favored the unbeaten Sumbal (Danehill Dancer) in 5.
Qatar Racing’s bay comes here on the back of an easy win in a soft renewal of
the 10-furlong Prix Greffulhe (Fr-G2) at Saint-Cloud May 5 and conditioner
Francis-Henri Graffard admits he is in the dark regarding his true chances.
“He’s in good form, but the problem with this horse is that he doesn’t have
any form because he has only beaten small fields in each race,” he said. “I
think he will run well, but I don’t know how good he is. We will find out on
Sunday. He is improving all the time.”
Other leading protagonists to have fared well from the draw are the
impressive April 6 Prix la Force (Fr-G3) winner Silverwave (Silver Frost) in 1
and his next-door neighbor, Joseph Allen’s May 8 Prix de Guiche (Fr-G3) scorer
War Dispatch (War Front).
Also at Chantilly Sunday, a five-strong British challenge, headed by Muthmir
(Invincible Spirit) will line up for the Prix Du Gros-Chene (Fr-G2).
Trainer William Haggas had originally intended to run Muthmir in the Achilles
S. at Haydock Saturday, but the prospect of fast ground at Haydock has seen
Hamdan al Maktoum’s five-year-old rerouted to France.
“Mr. Haggas didn’t like the sound of the ground at Haydock, he felt it would
be too quick, so he’s going to go to France on Sunday,” said Angus Gold, racing
manager to owner Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum. “I’m told he’s in good form. The race
at York should just have taken the sting out of him, he was too keen on the day,
and hopefully he’ll run a normal race this time.”
Muthmir was beaten only a length into fifth in his last outing in the Duke of
York S. (Eng-G2) at York and he will face stiff competition Sunday from fellow
U.K. challengers Stepper Point (Kyllachy) and Mirza (Oasis Dream). Stepper Point
is appearing in the dash race for the fourth consecutive year.
Trainer William Muir said, “We like this race. He’s been second in it and
fourth in it. He’s in good shape with himself at home. When he came back from
Dubai his coat went a little bit. It’s not exactly gleaming, but he’s come on a
bundle and he’s working well. It’s a competitive race as you’d expect for a
Group 2, but this time we’ve not got a penalty.”
Mirza is a regular in France for trainer Rae Guest, but he feels being drawn
7 of 11 is not beneficial to the chances of his good money-spinner.
Guest commented, “I think you need to be drawn near the stands rail,
Christophe Soumillon rides him and he’s in great form. We’re hoping for a good
run.”
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