Three arrows for Saint-Cloud Group One races
Qatar Racing has sent three of its leading two-year-olds to France for today's Saint-Cloud meeting which stages two Group One contests.
The Andrew Balding-trained South Seas lines up in the Criterium International (13.35) over seven furlongs, while Warring States and Rich Legacy (pictured right) tackle the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (14.45).
South Seas lost his unbeaten record in the Dubai Dewhurst Stakes last time out when finishing sixth, but he was only three-quarters of a length behind Rivet who won the Gr.1 Racing Post Trophy next time out. Today South Seas who will be ridden by Oisin Murphy faces eight rivals, including Thunder Snow, who was fourth in the Dewhurst, and Promise To Be True, who was second in the Prix Marcel Boussac last time out and represents Aidan O'Brien's stable.
O'Brien saddles no fewer than four in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud, in which Murphy has picked the Ralph Beckett-trained Rich Legacy and Eduardo Pedroza renews his association with Warring States, who represents Andreas Wohler's yard. Warring States, who was bought as a foal at Japan's July Select Sale, is a son of Victoire Pisa and the winner of his only start, at Hoppegarten earlier this month.
Wohler, who rates his colt highly, is fully aware that today's test is a big step up, and says: ‚"Warring States is in great form, and he needs to be.‚" Warring States' stablemate, Promise Of Peace, another Japan-bred two-year-old, runs today at Hannover in Germany having finished second on his racing debut last month.
Rich Legacy won the Gr.2 May Hill Stakes at Doncaster but was only fourth of eight in the Gr.1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket on her latest start. Quoted in today's Racing Post, Beckett says: ‚"The draw in 12 could have perhaps been kinder but her style of racing and pedigree suggest the step up in trip should be no problem. I felt she sat too close to a very strong pace in the Fillies' Mile and wasn't able to finish the race off as a result. Soft ground is good news and I'd be confident she'll run well.‚"
Picture of Rich Legacy: Dan Abraham