Settling Scores

Separated by just a short head in The Curragh's G1 Pretty Polly S., the Irish fillies Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) square up again in Saturday's G1 Qatar Nassau S. at Goodwood. The latter, who was suffering a second consecutive reversal by that narrow margin after being caught late on by Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the June 5 G1 Epsom Oaks, suffered a troubled trip in that June 28 feature and it may be that it made the difference. Legatissimo still holds the strongest form as a result of her success in Newmarket's G1 1000 Guineas May 3, and she is favored to gain her revenge on the Ballydoyle raider Diamondsandrubies, whose dam, Quarter Moon (Ire) (Sadler's Wells), was third here in 2002. The latter's breeder and part-owner Richard Henry said, “Aidan tells me Diamondsandrubies has been in great form since her Pretty Polly S. success. It looks a particularly strong renewal with a pair of Classic winners in the mix. Goodwood is a pretty unique track, but we're hopeful she'll handle it.” Also from Aidan O'Brien's establishment is Michael Tabor's Wedding Vow (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who is on the up after breaking her maiden in the G2 Kilboy Estate S. over nine furlongs at The Curragh July 19, while John Gosden has a trio as he seeks a fourth successive success in this race headed by Lady Bamford's G1 Prix de Diane heroine Star of Seville (GB) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}). Only ninth after meeting late interference in the Oaks with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's re-opposing Lady Of Dubai (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and stable companion Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) ahead in third and fifth, respectively, the homebred rebounded in what looks a weak renewal of the June 14 Chantilly Classic over a more suitable 10 1/2-furlong trip and has to improve again to win this. “Star of Seville obviously ran a great race in the Prix de Diane,” Gosden commented. “We are aware this a high-quality race against some proper fillies though. This is Jazzi Top's trip, as it is for Star of Seville, and Jazzi will be a better filly than she was in the Oaks. She's really strengthened up and could be in the shake up.”