Dunaden will stay at 1½-mile distance, says Mikel Delzangles
The six-year-old speedy horse, Dunaden, is going to stay at one and a half miles distance for his subsequent trip. After Dunaden’s third place in the Qatar Bloodstock Jockey Club Stakes, Mikel Delzangles is not ready to try anything different, saying that
the horse will remain at 1½-mile distance until July this year.
Under J. Murtagh, the 6-year-old ran well to ensure the third place in the Group 2 event at Newmarket at the start of this month. He took a wonderful start, but could not maintain his good work all the way through.
After a bit of lazy effort in the middle hours, the 9-2 chance gradually improved his work and made himself prominent. The dashing horse displayed a wonderful show in the final stages of the race, but it was not enough to take him to the glory.
As a result, he missed the runner-up place by four and a quarter lengths. It was Dunaden’s first appearance since winning the Group 1 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase in December last year.
The Pearl Bloodstock Ltd-owned performed magnificently last year. Prior to his fantastic win at Sha Tin, the bay horse registered two back-to-back wins at different venues. After accomplishing his hat-trick, he went on a vacation.
The trainer was expecting him to resume his journey with a huge bang, but it did happen at Newmarket. Nicobar’s son holds entries both for Gold Cup and Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot next month.
Although Dunaden’s connections are yet to make a final call on Ascot engagements, the trainer has confirmed that the horse will run only over one and a half miles distance.
"He's come back very well but he needed the run. I think he'll improve a great deal for it," said Delzangles.
On Dunaden’s future plans, the hander shared: "He might run in the Grand Prix de Chantilly - he might, it's not definite. We'll stay at a mile and a half until July and then we'll see."
The French horse has recorded nine victories so far in his career. He also has eight runner-ups and five thirds to his credit, earning a massive amount worth £3,455,958.
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