Saturday's G2 Qatar Prix Chaudenay at Chantilly has stood up well this year, with some young stayers who have potential to become leading performers in this category still cherished in Europe. Leading trainer with 12 successes is Andre Fabre and he relies on Godolphin's Soleil Marin (Ire) (Kendargent {Fr}) and OTI Management Pty Ltd's Casterton (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). The former took the 10 1/2-furlong G3 Prix Noailles here Apr. 16 and steps up markedly in trip after finishing last of eight in the G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano at Deauville Aug. 15.
Godolphin's Lisa-Jane Graffard said, “Andre Fabre is happy with Soleil Marin, although there are a few questions marks going into this race, including the new trip. He has produced a couple of disappointing performances and we feel that he prefers cut in the ground, so he should get his conditions on Saturday.”
Casterton was a close third behind Darbuzan (Fr) (Zamindar) and Monreal (Ire) (Peintre Celebre) in the G3 Prix de Lutece over this trip at Saint-Cloud Sept. 8 and the expectation is that the winner will again hold sway for his owner-breeder Princess Zahra Aga Khan. The grey had been more impressive off a genuine pace in the Listed Prix Michel Houyvet again at this distance at Deauville Aug. 13 and if he gets that again should be hard to contain.
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