Zarigana team content with Coronation choice

Zarigana is on course for a trip to Royal Ascot after connections resisted the temptation to bid for a Classic double in this weekend’s Prix de Diane in favour of a tilt at the Coronation Stakes.

Successful on three of her first four starts for Francis-Henri Graffard in the colours of the late Aga Khan, the Siyouni filly passed the post second to the Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect in the French 1000 Guineas, the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, before being promoted to first by the stewards.

Zarigana could have taken on Shes Perfect again in the French Oaks at Chantilly on Sunday, but she will instead stick to a mile on the penultimate day of the Royal meeting next week.

Nemone Routh, racing manager for the Aga Khan Studs, said: “The trainer was very keen to run Zarigana in Ascot. We obviously did consider the Prix de Diane because I think she relaxed a lot more last time and she seems to be gaining maturity in her races, so it did become more of an option to consider the Diane for her.

“But I think Francis has trained her more to race over a mile in this first part of the season, that doesn’t mean that we wouldn’t stretch her out later in the year. I think he felt it was always part of the programme that he had set aside for her that she would go to Royal Ascot after the Pouliches, especially as we had other fillies for the Diane.

“Zarigana is due to have her last piece of work tomorrow (Thursday) morning. She worked last week and is in good form, so provided all goes well tomorrow, I imagine it’s all systems go for Royal Ascot.”

In Zarigana’s absence, the Aga Khan’s team will be doubly represented in the Prix de Diane Longines, with French Guineas third Mandanaba carrying the colours of the late owner’s daughter Princess Zahra and Listed scorer Cankoura also in the mix.

Routh added: “Principally I think His Highness and Princess Zahra identify themselves as breeders who like to race their horses, and having fillies that are capable of running well in this race is one of our principal objectives of the year.

“We love to have fillies that can perform at the top level, the Prix de Diane is a race His Highness loved to have runners in and obviously he holds the record for the winning-most owner, and all of those fillies were bred by him as well.

“It’s a very special race for our organisation and we’re very happy to have two runners this year in the two different silks’.”