racing_news/

Ashalanda Fills Royer-Dupre With Pride
13/10/09

Alain de Royer-Dupre is hoping to add to his collection of fond Champions’ Day memories at Newmarket on Saturday, 17th October, when he saddles the classy filly Ashalanda in the Group Two Pride Stakes (4.50pm), the race named in honour of his 2006 Emirates Airline Champion Stakes heroine.

The French champion trainer has great faith in Ashalanda, who will be having only her fourth start in the mile and a half Pride Stakes, which is worth £100,000.

The grey Linamix filly won her first two races, with her second success coming in the Group Two Prix de Malleret over the distance at Saint Cloud in June, before going down by a head to Voila Ici in the Group Three Premio Federico Tesio at San Siro, Italy, on 20th September over a furlong shorter.

Royer-Dupre revealed today: “Ashalanda is on course for the Pride Stakes after her run in Italy. She ran well last time and she has shown that she stays.

“She is a good filly and has raced only three times this year so she is progressive and fresh. I think she prefers soft ground but I believe the forecast is for no rain. It would be great for us to win the Pride Stakes with her.”

A decision has not yet been made regarding who will partner the Aga Khan-owned three-year-old, with jockey Christophe Lemaire yet to be passed fit by the doctor. Royer-Dupre, who also has Alpine Rose entered in the Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes on Champions’ Day, is hoping to know more in the next day or so.

He said: “I think Christophe Soumillon might be riding Alpine Rose but I am not sure about Ashalanda yet. Christophe Lemaire is going to see the doctor today and will then decide what to do.”

Sven and Carina Hanson, owners of Pride, will be at Newmarket on Saturday with Carina presenting the trophy to the winning connections. Last year, Crystal Capella won the inaugural running of the Pride Stakes.

Alpine Rise will attempt to emulate Pride in Saturday’s £376,500 Group One Emirates Airline Champion Stakes (3.00pm). Pride landed a famous triumph for the stable in the 2006 renewal of the 10-furlong contest.

Like her predecessor, Alpine Rose heads to Newmarket having secured a Group One victory earlier in the year. The four-year-old saw off Lady Marian to clinch the Group One Prix Jean Romanet over 10 furlongs at Deauville in August, but was only fourth to Shalanaya in the Prix de l’Opera at Longchamp on 4th October.

Royer-Dupre commented: “Alpine Rose has won a Group One this year in Deauville and she is in very good form. She was fourth in the Opera but did not get a good run. She did not have a hard race that day so I am happy for her to try the Champion Stakes.

“The distance is perfect for the filly. The only concern is the up and down nature of the track. I think she has shown that she is better on a flat track - at Longchamp she had a problem with the descent.

“She ran very well over a mile and a half when second to Spanish Moon in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud, so she stays further but has speed and she is a Group One filly for sure.”

Royer-Dupre recalls Pride’s Emirates Airline Champion Stakes victory with affection. The mare was a star of the 2006 season, defeating Hurricane Run in the Grand Prix de Saint Cloud before finishing runner-up to Rail Link in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Following her Newmarket victory, Pride ended her career with success in the Group One Hong Kong Cup at Sha Tin.

He said: “It was a thrill to win the Champion Stakes with Pride. The ground was very soft and we knew that she was better on that ground. She won very easily and was a great filly. She won many top-class races and was a top, top filly.

“The Champion Stakes was among her best performances because the ground was ideal for her. It is a very select race and the straight 10 furlongs makes it a fair test - you can win with the best horse.”