Fabre Double-Handed in Cleopatre

Saint-Cloud’s G3 Prix Cleopatre is recognized as a trial for the G1 Prix de Diane, but it is 39 years since Pawneese (Ire) (Carvin II {Fr}) completed the double in both contests. This year’s edition boasts a small-but-select field and conditioner Andre Fabre is represented by a pair of Al Shaqab Racing colorbearers in a race he has annexed a record 11 times. Shahah (GB) (Motivator {GB}), who hit the board in three British starts for Richard Hannon, made an immediate impact once transferred to France by bagging the Sept. 9 G3 Prix d’Aumale at Chantilly, besting re-opposing rivals Moonee Valley (Fr) (Aqlaam {GB}), who ran fourth, and Al Naamah (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was sixth. She didn’t enjoy the best of trips and was eased late to finish last of 12 in the Oct. 5 G1 Prix Marcel Boussac in her only other out. Al Naamah caused a stir as a yearling when knocked down for a staggering 5,000,000gns at Tattersalls’ 2013 October Book One and opened up with a ‘TDN Rising Star’ performance going seven furlongs at Chantilly June 23. Her d’Aumale sixth was her only other go and the G1 Epsom Oaks entry enjoyed a racecourse gallop alongside Shahah and last term’s G1 Preis der Diana victress Feodora (Ger) (Lord of England {Ger}) at this track last Tuesday. Moonee Valley backed up her d’Aumale defeat with victory in the Oct. 22 G3 Prix des Reservoirs at Deauville, but could manage only ninth in the Apr. 12 G3 Prix de la Grotte at Longchamp on seasonal return last time. Both she and Shahah carry two-kilogram penalties for their Group 3 successes. Wildenstein Stables’ Little Nightingale (Fr) (Muhtathir {Fr}), another G1 Epsom Oaks entry, debuted with a second going one mile at this track Sept. 26, and was impressive when prevailing by four lengths in a 10-furlong maiden at Maisons-Laffitte in her only other go last time Apr. 2. Joseph Allen’s undefeated Stay the Night(Arch) lines up for the Jean-Claude Rouget barn coming off wins at Pau Jan. 31 and at Marseille-Borely last time Mar. 31, but needs to step up on those performances to feature here.