Simon Planque guides Dhahabia to win at Lyon-Parilly.
Doha: The Al Shaqab Racing-owned filly Dhahabia (Olympic Glory x Belle De Crecy) secured her second consecutive victory when getting up in the shadow of the post to land the Handicap de Lyon at Lyon-Parilly on Monday.
Trained in by Henri-François Devin, three-year-old Dhahabia broke her maiden at Saint-Cloud a month ago. The filly showed a tough attitude to secure a first handicap success under a convincing ride from apprentice jockey Simon Planque.
Slowly away from the stalls for the 1,350m contest, Dhahabia was settled towards the rear of the eleven-runner field. A strong pace was set through the early stages by the blinkered Astrachem (Zebadee). Travelling strongly leaving the back straight, Dhahabia began to close on the leaders, but was forced three wide around the home turn.
On turning into the straight, Astrachem began to fade and was attacked strongly by a wave of challengers inside the final 400m. Passalito (Pomelatto), Carlton Choice (Bushranger) and, with a strong run down the outside, Dhahibia, all challenged for the lead.
The three locked into a battle inside the final 200m and passing the post, there was little to split them. Under a strong drive from Planque, Dhahibia headed Carlton Choice in the final stride and took the victory by a short head with Passalito a nose back in third.
Bred by her owner Al Shaqab Racing, Dhahibia is a daughter of Haras De Bouquetot stallion Olympic Glory (Choisir). Her dam Belle De Crecy (Rock Of Gibralter) was a Group 2 winner in Ireland. She was also placed 2nd in the Group 1 Qipco British Champions Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot. She has produced Bletilla (Galileo), a winner on her second start in France and placed third at listed level.
