Glorious Goodwood (15.10): Lady Of Dubai the Nassau Stakes choice
Published:
Trainer Luca Cumani has his team in terrific shape, and Lady Of Dubai can provide the Newmarket with another big race success in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes at Goodwood (15.10).
The the filly shaped with plenty of promise in her first two starts last season before impressively landing a 1m maiden at Newmarket by 3 1/4 lengths.
Lady Of Dubai was stepped up into Listed company on the back of that success, and ran a stormer to be beaten just 1/2 a length by Irish Rookie in a 1m contest at headquarters.
The well-bred daughter of Dubawi ran on strongly to be closing all the way to the line, and the winner has gone on to finish a solid sixth of 18 in the 1000 Guineas before being beaten just 3/4 of a length by Ervedya in the French equivalent.
Lady Of Dubai was the off the track for 201 days before posting a very smart performance to land the Listed 1m 2f Height Of Fashion Stakes over course and distance on her seasonal reappearance.
After travelling strongly throughout, Lady Of Dubai showed a smart turn of foot to quickly put the race to bed and has since gone on to post a career-best performance when a cracking third to Qualify in the Investec Oaks over 1m 4f at Epsom.
Lady Of Dubai held every chance a furlong from home before being unable to find any extra, and the drop back to 1m 2f in this looks sure to suit.
Although she finished 2 1/2 lengths behind runner-up Legatissimo, that one has since had another hard race and Lady Of Dubai comes into the contest fresh and looks decent value to gain her revenge.
Legatissimo, who had earlier won the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket in terrific style, looks the obvious danger.
The David Wachman trained filly lost little in defeat in the Oaks, and looked a slightly unlucky loser last time out when going down by just a short-head to Diamondsandrubies in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh.
Legatissimo found herself short of room at a vital stage and, after being switched to deliver a challenge, finished the race off very strongly.
However, that was the fifth race of the season for the daughter of Danehill Dancer, and it’s a big ask to keep going to the well the the highest level.
For that reason I am keen to be with the lightly-raced Lady Of Dubai, as she remains open to further progress and has the added plus of proven winning form at the track.
