Jem jets out for Deauville date
Polar Jem spearheads a strong British challenge in Deauville this weekend as the ultra-tough mare takes her chance in the Group Two Prix Jean Romanet.
George Margarson’s five-year-old warmed up for the 10-furlong race when finishing fourth in a Listed race at Salisbury last week, and the Newmarket handler is in bullish mood.
“It was a tough task giving that weight away last time but it was difficult as there wasn’t another race to run her in,” said Margarson.
“I needed to get another run into her as she had only had the one start so far this season and you need to be sharp going for a Group Two race.
“She was only a couple of lengths behind La Persiana, who was second in a Group Three, and we had also beaten her giving her weight last year at Yarmouth.
“They have no rain in France and it is quite hot, but they are forecast three millimetres of rain on both Saturday and Sunday but I can’t really see six millimetres really hurting.
“I will run her on good ground but I think she may be better over further these days. She wasn’t stopping at Newmarket over a mile and a half and this may be her last run at a mile and a quarter.”
Polar Jem will be joined in the 13-runner race by Sir Michael Stoute’s Nassau Stakes third Red Bloom along with John Dunlop’s recent Chepstow Group Three winner Mango Mischief.
On the same card, Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Mr Vegas will bid to stake his Ladbrokes St Leger claim in the Prix Kergorlay.
The Group Two race represents a step up in class for the Montjeu colt following recent efforts that have seen him make the frame in the Queen’s Vase before winning the Listed Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket.
“I could have gone for the Great Voltigeur but his owners were keen for him to go to France and this is more his trip, the race being over one mile and seven. It will tell us more about the Leger,” the trainer told www.peterchapplehyam.com.
“He’s not quite 100 per cent fitness-wise but this will put him spot on.”
Mr Vegas will be joined by Geoff Wragg’s Geoffrey Freer winner Lochbuie and Hughie Morrison’s Sagaro Stakes winner Alcazar, although Gold Cup hero Westerner failed to appear among the final declarations.
Britain is also strongly represented in the Group Three Prix de la Nonette with Barry Hills’ Alumni, Cassydora, Joint Aspiration and Karen’s Caper part of the eight-strong line-up.
