Royer-Dupre Back For More Verdi Glory

Eight fillies and mares will face the starter in the one-mile G2 Cape Verdi S., six of which will be making their seasonal reappearance. Eight years ago, Alain de Royer Dupre sent out the winner of this race in Sanaya (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}), and the Chantilly conditioner will be hoping for a repeat scenario with Haras de la Perelle’s Cladocera (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}). 

The 4-year-old won the Listed Prix des Lilas at Longchamp last June, and ran a fast-finishing second to GI Donn H.-bound Sloane Avenue (Candy Ride {Arg}) in a Listed event on Kempton’s all-weather last time out Nov. 19. 
She is likely to face a strong challenge from Michael Halford’s Slipper Orchid (Ire) (Verglas {Ire}), who made quite an impression Jan. 15 when producing a late run to take fifth in a blanket finish in a handicap event over course and distance.

Richard Hannon’s Zurigha (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}) is the only other in the field with fresh form, although she hasn’t saluted the judge since September 2013. She was a first starter at Meydan for Richard Hannon Jr. when eighth behind the impressive Umgiyo (Aus) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) last week, and could show some improvement here. 

A pair of former French-trained fillies will make their Meydan debut in the race. Victoria Regina (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), a €150,000 purchase at the 2014 Arc Sale, will be making her first start for David Simcock. She won twice in France and was last seen in public when fourth in a Listed event at Chantilly Sept. 3. Anahita (Fr) (Turtle Bowl {Ire}) cost €180,000 at the same sale last October. Now in the care of local trainer Salem bin Ghadayer, who celebrated his first winner last Thursday at Meydan, she will attempt to build on her 3-year-old form, which saw her finish second in the G3 Prix de Psyche and a close third to Joe Allen’s Beauty Parlor (Elusive Quality) in the Listed Prix Occitanie.