Having failed to live up to expectations in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains, 'TDN Rising Star' Zarak (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) goes to post for another Classic opportunity on Sunday in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly. Unlike his famous dam Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar), His Highness the Aga Khan's homebred was unable to maintain his unbeaten sequence in the mile Classic staged this year at Deauville May 15, but may have been hindered by being drawn on the stand's side and away from the main action which centered around The Gurkha (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}). While he would not have beaten that impressive winner, he may have been closer than fifth and there is hope that he can still emerge as a genuine Group 1 colt. Since the victory of Charlottesville (GB) in 1960, the Aga Khan's Studs have been successful on six further occasions and the current master of that esteemed operation would be delighted if Zarak can add another, but he has the huge disadvantage of stall 16 to overcome.
With the Poulains usually a solid guide to this race, with Lope de Vega (Ire), Le Havre (Ire), Intello (Ger) and New Bay (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) all coming off that Classic to win this, there are also grounds for respecting the third-placed Dicton (GB) (Lawman {Fr}), who was supplemented this week and bids to emulate his sire's success nine years ago. Robert Ng's bay had previously won the Mar. 20 Listed Prix Omnium at Saint-Cloud before beating Taareef (Kitten's Joy) and Almanzor (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in the G3 Prix de Fontainebleau staged at this venue Apr. 20, but this year's Poulains was staged over a straight mile, so the similarities between the two Classics are much less.
Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum is represented by a live contender in the impressive G3 Prix Noailles winner Raseed (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), who took that uncompetitive course-and-distance prep by three lengths Apr. 20 and could be anything. Godolphin supply a duo in the Andre Fabre-trained, Medaglia d'Oro-sired Floodlight and Talismanic (GB), and while both have improvement to find, the record of their trainer means they are impossible to ignore. Floodlight was two-lengths second to Almanzor in the G3 Prix de Quiche over nine furlongs here May 10, while Talismanic earned his place with a win in the 12-furlong Listed Prix de l'Avre on heavy ground at Saint-Cloud May 23.
“Floodlight worked well in heavy ground and is a probable runner on Sunday,” the trainer said after a recent spin. “I feel that a step up in trip will suit him. I'm encouraged by Medaglia d'Oro's progeny's results in this type of going. Talismanic, who we know handles heavy underfoot conditions, has continued to improve and we have added him to our Prix du Jockey-Club team. He has done really well since his win in the Prix de l'Avre and is a very honest, genuine horse.” Supplemented this week, the Qatar Racing colourbearer Imperial Aviator (GB) (Paco Boy {Ire}), who represents the same cross as the 2000 Guineas winner Galileo Gold (GB), is yet to try black-type company but was impressive when brushing aside a group of smart handicappers in the London Gold Cup over 10 furlongs at Newbury last time May 14. That same race was used by trainer Roger Charlton to educate his high-class Al Kazeem (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), and Imperial Aviator's prior form also stands up as he beat Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in a Leicester maiden over that trip Apr. 23.
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