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Preview: G1 Prix de Diane Longines.
The Prix de Diane is the pinnacle French Classic for three-year-olds fillies. First run in 1843, this race has always been contested over 2100m. Six fillies were able to further progress winning the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (2400m), the most recent in 2013 when Treve completed the double and won the Arc again the following year.
This year trainer Andrè Fabre has a strong hand with three runners, all with a good chance.
Agave is the winner of her first three races against her own sex. Last start she took on the colts in the G2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint Cloud over the 2100m finishing second to Onesto who subsequently ran a bold race finishing fifth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) two weeks ago. Prior to that she was a 2100m G3 victor at Saint Cloud. Having the inside barrier will play to her strengths as she can race close to the lead.
Zellie has a Group One victory to her name having won the Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp on Arc Day over 1600m. This season she has raced twice and finished close but unable to win. This could change on Sunday. Her last start was a staying on fourth in the 1000 Guineas (G1) at Newmaket (UK) over 1600m. She hasn't been seen since that race at the start of May.
Place du Carrousel completes the trio of Fabre's runners and must be a solid hope based on her last start second in the 2000m Prix Saint-Alary (G1) at Longchamp three weeks ago when beaten by 1L in a small field of six.
The first foreign trained winner of the race was in 1970 when Sweet Mimosa won. This year the John & Thady Gosden trained Nashwa could take the prize back across the English Channel. She has the form to succeed following a 3.25L third to Tuesday in the UK Oaks (G1) run over the longer 2400m at Epsom Downs (UK). Prior to that she won a 2000m Listed race at Newbury in mid-May. Connections should be pleased with starting from Gate 2.
It could be argued Rosacea was unlucky with her 1L defeat in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (G1) at Longchamp one month ago. Held up on the rail she was making good headway at the end of the 1600m but could not secure a clear passage. Prior to that she had won four in succession including two Group 3 contests. The racing pattern throughout her career has always been to settle mid-field and come home strongly. Given a clear run, this trip will suit her. Drawing Gate 17 has done her no favours, but she does have Christophe Soumillon riding to compensate.
Trainer Jean-Claude Rouget won the Prix du Jockey Club two weeks ago and has previously been able to add this Classic three times. He is represented by Yukata, a lightly raced filly having only her fourth race start. She won her first two races and then started favourite in the Listed Prix Finlande over 1800m where she ran third behind the reopposing Nadette but was making late headway beaten 1.5L.
Based on that run in the Prix Finlande, Nadette is progressive enough to be included in the chances whilst HH Aga Khan will have Tariyana. The Aga Khan is the most prolific winning owner of this race having found success on seven previous occasions, the most recent with Valyra in 2012. Tariyana is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard, and she comes into this race with just two starts including latest second, last Sunday in a 2000m Listed race. It will be a big ask for her to win.
Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien won this race last year with Joan of Arc and this time has Toy engaged. She was staying on and not beaten all that far in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches but would have to find more to be competitive in this field.