South heads overseas for French 2000 Guineas

Qatar Racing's South Seas will line up against 12 rivals in the Gr. 1 Abu Dhabi Poule d'Essai des Poulains on Sunday, which will again take place at Deauville as Longchamp remains closed for redevelopment.

South Seas proved a high-class colt as a 2-year-old when he won his first three races, including the Gr. 3 Solario Stakes at Sandown last August. He then went on to run well on French soil when second to the subsequent dual Dubai classic winner Thunder Snow in the Gr. 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud.

South Seas wasn't at his best on his reappearance when only fifth at Newcastle, but he's been in good form at home since and, as his best form so far has been achieved on good ground or softer, we're hopeful the return to rain-softened conditions on Sunday will see him bounce right back.

South Seas is trained by Andrew Balding and has been ridden in each of his starts by Oisin Murphy. The combination couldn't be in better form after they recorded a thrilling victory with Montaly in the Chester Cup on Wednesday.