Dubai: Manatee bids to gift Godolphin with a first success in the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak, the European season’s last major stayers’ race and the equivalent of the Group 1 English St. Leger.
On his most recent start, the Andre Fabre-trained four-year-old finished 11th of 17 behind Golden Horn in the Group 1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 4,
Manatee showed he has bundles of stamina when winning a conditions race over a mile and seven furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte on soft ground the previous month.
Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “Manatee took his race in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe really well and the Prix Royal-Oak has been his goal for a long time.
“It’s a fairly tough-looking race but we are hopeful that he will run well.”
Manatee, who will be ridden by regular partner Mickael Barzalona, faces 12 rivals including the first three home in the Group 1 Prix du Cadran - Mille Et Mille, Kicky Blue and Fun Mac - Group 2 winners Alex My Boy and Vazirabad plus multiple Group 1 victor Cirrus Des Aigles.
The Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained Vazirabad looks the one to beat on the strength of his impressive win at Longchamp earlier this month.
