Andre Fabre's domination of the domestic scene is again reflected in the number of victories registered in the G3 Prix de la Grotte and the trainer, who equalled Francois Mathet's record of seven renewals with subsequent G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches placegetter Mexican Gold (Medaglia d'Oro) last year, goes in search of another outright record with Pleasemetoo (Ire) (Vale of York {Ire}) and Gherdaiya (GB) (Shamardal) in this distaffers' heat. Godolphin acquisition Pleasemetoo improved off a debut third in the colours of Jean-Etienne Dubois at Chantilly in June, scene of today's re-routed contest, and graduated going seven furlongs at Deauville in August, but was unable to contend with the dominating tactics of Antonoe (First Defence) when second in September's G3 Prix d'Aumale over this course and distance in her final start for previous connections last time. Juddmonte's Antonoe earned TDN Rising Star status when routing subsequent G1 Prix Marcel Boussac third Qemah (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) by daylight at Deauville in August and doubled up in the Prix d'Aumale the following month, but was unable to adopt her usual frontrunning role and slipped to seventh in October's Marcel Boussac at Longchamp last time. She will bid to add to conditioner Pascal Bary's sole success in the contest, which was provided by Divine Proportions (Kingmambo) in 2005. Gherdaiya, like Qemah, carries the Al Shaqab Racing silks and registered a brace of midsummer scores last term before succumbing to Antonoe and Pleasemetoo in the Prix d'Aumale in her only other out. Positive Vibration (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}), a third representative for Al Shaqab Racing, shed maiden status at lowly Carpentras in her sixth attempt last time Mar. 27 and the Jean-Claude Rouget incumbent is expected to undertake lead duties for her owner's other entries in this leap forward. Trixia (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Kenriya (Fr) (Kendargent {Fr}) are both undefeated, but the former has much better form having annexed both the Listed Criterium de Lyon and G3 Prix des Reservoirs last year.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
