Dream Derby double remains reality
Owner the Aga Khan is looking to Alamshar to complete a Derby double for him at Epsom on Saturday after Dalakhani galloped away with the French equivalent (Prix du Jockey-Club) at Chantilly.
The handsome grey colt was always seemingly coasting in the French Derby and pulled clear of his rivals in the final two furlongs, with jockey Christophe Soumillon barely having to shake his reins to get the desired result.
Even Super Celebre, the only real challenger to emerge from out of the pack in the home straight in pursuit of the winner, was flattered to get within two lengths at the line.
The Aga Khan he refused to rule out the possibility of his two colts meeting in a showdown later this season, providing that both continue to progress in the desired fashion.
“The way it worked it always seemed the obvious route for Alamshar was to go to Epsom while we brought this colt here,” he said.
“They probably wouldn’t meet until the Arc de Triomphe but if they were both on course for the race and things had gone to plan then I wouldn’t be afraid for them to race against each other.
“This is an amazing colt who is maturing all the time, an elegant and talented horse.
“He has such presence that it is not so much you who watches him as him watching you when he races.
“Today was the first time that he has really had to stretch.”
Dalakhani could now take in the Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh.
His trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: “We will see how he is before thinking about plans – we will also have to see how Alamshar gets on this weekend.
“He’s an exceptional horse. He’s very calm, a good mover and he’s unbeaten. He’s very easy for a trainer.”
Soumillon, who waved his whip close home to emphasise that he had not had to use it at any stage, said that he was unsure exactly when the scale of improvement would end with his mount.
“He has run six times and won six times,” the young jockey beamed. “It was a good pace and the way he travelled was unbelievable.
“Always he is better and better.”
Runner-up Super Celebre is now set to be rested before returning for the traditional Arc trial of the Prix Niel later this season.
Andre Fabre’s well-touted colt Papineau found the quick going against him, Frankie Dettori reported after he had trailed home well beaten, although the Italian had enjoyed better luck earlier on in the afternoon.
Tears were flowing after the conclusion of the other Group One race on the card, the Prix Jean Prat, although not from backers of the 2.8-1 winner Vespone.
Owned by a syndicate of three Norwegian businessmen, the winner is one of four horses they have in training at present with Nicolas Clement.
Vespone handled the conditions well and stuck on gamely to beat Prince Kirk and Dettori by three lengths with favourite Tashkandi third.
It was a first Group One success for winning rider Christophe Lemaire, who burst into tears with the emotion of the occasion as he returned to weigh in.
It was about the only water seen on a scorchingly hot afternoon, where the bright sunshine scotched fears that the ground might have been over-watered.
Vespone has the option of heading to Royal Ascot next month but connections are eyeing the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp in three weeks’ time as the most likely target.
Royal Ascot, however, could be the aim for Maiden Tower, who gave Dettori his 300th Group-race success in the Prix de Sandringham.
The Alex Pantall-trained filly was given a classic front-running ride by his pilot and stayed on well to hold the late thrust of Acago by one and a half lengths.
Intercontinental, third in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, proved a big disappointment in the race, proving a real handful on the way to the starting gate before running free in the early stages and fading close home to finish third again.
Maiden Tower is owned by Sheikh Mohammed, whose adviser John Ferguson commented: “That was a very good performance and the Coronation Stakes could be a plan, but we also have Campsie Fells, who was fourth in the Prix Saint-Alary and we would like to drop her back to a mile, so we will have to think about it.”
Dettori, while delighted with the landmark success, also hinted that Maiden Tower’s temperament might not be up to trip across the Channel.
“She is definitely up to that class and she is a very good filly but she is very hot – a bit of a Moulin Rouge,” he smiled.
And the Michael Blanshard-trained The Trader chased home Porlezza – winning the race for the second year running – in the Prix du Gros-Chene, before being demoted to third for interfering with Zipping a furlong out.
Despite the actions of the stewards, The Trader delighted connections and will now return to Royal Ascot for the King’s Stand Stakes, in which he finished fourth last year.
“We will have to hope that his joints are okay when we get him back home but he showed all of his old sparkle and that was just what we were hoping for,” said trainer’s wife Philippa Blanshard.
The Trader’s rider Fergus Sweeney was banned for two days, with winning jockey Olivier Peslier fined €450 for his use of the whip.
