Cladocera makes it two from two at Meydan

Alain de Royer Dupre’s Cladocera (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}), the cozy winner of the G2 Cape Verdi S. last time out, posted another easy-as-can-be performance on the Dubai grass, flying past her rivals in the G2 Balanchine S. to win unextended by 1 3/4 lengths from her former compatriot Anahita (Fr) (Turtle Bowl {Ire}). The Haras de la Perelle color-bearer started the odds-on favorite despite giving weight to all her rivals and never gave her supporters much cause to worry. 

Jumping out from post nine, Cladocera settled at the back of the strung-out pack through soft early fractions. Angled out widest of all at the head of the lane, she was clearly traveling best of all and jockey Christophe Soumillon sent her storming past the entire field, sitting up before crossing the wire. “We were drawn nine so the tactics were pretty much decided for me,” said the Belgian hoop. “They went a reasonable gallop which helped her settle nicely and the only brief moment of worry I had was when forced a bit wide in the straight.” “She has a lovely turn of foot as we saw there and is going to improve with age and racing,” Soumillon added.

Salem bin Ghadayer’s Anahita, sporting cheek-pieces for the first time, tracked the early leaders and hit the front three-wide turning for home. She couldn’t respond to Cladocera’s devastating acceleration yet went one better than in the Cape Verdi, reversing placings with Richard Hannon’s Zurigha (Ire) (Cape Cross {Ire}). The latter raced in last position and was briefly short of room entering the straight. She fought gamely to repel the late challenge of Victoria Regina (Ire), who filled the same position as in the Cape Verdi.