Legatissimo tops declarations for Qatar Nassau Stakes

Legatissimo landing the QIPCO 1000 Guineas earlier in the year. Image copyright of Racingfotos.com

QIPCO 1000 Guineas heroine Legatissimo tops the 9 fillies declared for Saturday’s Qatar Nassau Stakes. 

David Wachman’s star has since suffered two agonisingly narrow defeats, both by a short head. She was caught on the line in the Investec Oaks over a mile and a half and then just failed to overhaul Diamondsandrubies in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes over this mile and a quarter trip.

Diamondsandrubies re-opposes having been badly hampered in the closing stages when finishing fourth, almost six lengths behind Legatissimo, in the Investec Oaks.

Lady Of Dubai and Jazzi Top also ran well in the Investec Oaks eight weeks ago, finishing third and fifth respectively, and both will be fresh having not run since.

Star Of Seville did not give her true running in the Investec Oaks but bounced back quickly to land the French equivalent, the Group 1 Prix de Diane, just a week later.

There has never been a French-trained winner of this race but Alain de Royer-Dupre, who saddled Narniyn to finish second in 2014, bids to go one better with Cladocera, a dual Group 2 scorer in Dubai earlier this year.

De Royer-Dupre told us: “Cladocera ran well to finish third at Royal Ascot and that form has been boosted by the winner [Amazing Maria] going on to land the QIPCO Falmouth Stakes.

“She had three races in Dubai over the winter and we needed to give her time to recover when she got back home, so she needed the run at Ascot and should be able to improve upon that form.

“This will be her first run at a mile and a quarter. She is normally a miler but she did well in Dubai over nine furlongs so we have decided to try her over this longer trip.

“Goodwood is a special track and I could not be sure how well she will handle it, but she is a very mature filly and an easy ride.

“She is on the same level as Narniyn, who ran well to be second last year despite hitting the front too soon.

“We have had to change her jockey as Christophe Soumillon has other commitments in France. But Antoine Hamelin knows her well and got some experience of the track when riding Jehannedarc to finish second in the Lillie Langtry Stakes for me three years ago.”