Racing
Shes Perfect set for Prix de Diane bid
Charlie Fellowes appears to be favouring a run in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly over Royal Ascot’s 1600m Coronation Stakes for his star filly Shes Perfect.
Charlie Fellowes' daughter of Sioux Nation battled on strongly to finish first-past-the-post in Longchamp's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, only to be demoted to second place by the raceday stewards.
An appeal was also dismissed, leaving connections bitterly disappointed, but Fellowes is now edging towards a return trip to France, with the Newmarket-based trainer keen to test his filly over the ten-furlong distance after coming out of her latest battle so well.
"She lost just 4kg for her trip to France," said Fellowes on Sky Sports Racing. "She has the most remarkable constitution.
"She looks a picture and is fresh and well. She could have gone and run in the Irish 1000 Guineas, she just thrives on her racing and is so tough.
"The plan at the moment is the Diane. I think we're going to go back to France, I'm just realty intrigued about a step up in trip for her. She's out of a Galileo mare and looks like she will stay further.
"I think she can stay 2000m and I think France suits her because she's quick out the gates and gets into a nice rhythm.
"We've entered her in the Arc at the end of the year, so if that's going to be our route, then we need to dip our toe in over a bit further now. I've always felt on her homework and with her physical, that she'd stay."
Also likely to be heading to France is the Owen Burrows-trained Falakeyah, who has been confirmed as an absentee for the Epsom Oaks by her connections.
The daughter of New Bay made a striking winner debut at Wolverhampton last November and returned to action this year with a sparkling performance to land the mile and a quarter Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, leaving connections dreaming of Classic glory.
However, with Epsom's turning track and mile and a half trip posing question marks, Falakeyah looks more likely to contest Chantilly's Prix de Diane.
Falakeyah carries the famous colours of Shadwell, whose racing manager Angus Gold confirmed Newmarket's 1,000 Guineas fourth Elwateen is set to be supplemented for next Friday's Epsom Oaks at a cost of £30,000.
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