Dubai Loxley, Godolphin’s rising star, seeks redemption when he runs in the Prix Dollar, one of four exciting Group 2 contests on the opening day of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe weekend in Longchamp, France.
A progressive son of New Approach, the Charlie Appleby-trained Loxley faces eight rivals as he hopes to make amends for a lacklustre performance in last month’s St. Leger (G1) at Doncaster, where he just beat two home in the final Classic of the English season.
The Prix Dollar is a minor step down in class for the Godolphin colt who is the ante-post favourite to give his stable a fourth success in the race after Fractional (2014), Slickly (2000) and Alhaarth (1997).
Held in high regard by Appleby ever since he won his maiden as a two-years-old, Loxley is yet to fulfil his potential despite offering glimpse of his ability when winning a novice event in summer and when chasing Wells Farhh Go home in the Bahrain Trophy (G3) over 2,600m.
“Loxley blatantly didn’t stay in the St Leger and has produced some decent performances over shorter distances this season, so we are not concerned about coming down in trip,” Appleby said on the Godolphin website.
“He has taken the race at Doncaster well and, if he brings his best form to the table, will be a serious contender.”
Godolphin are also represented by another regressive type, stayer Morgan Le Faye and unbeaten G2 winner Brundtland in the Prix du Cadran (G1)
Trained by Andre Fabre, the four-year-old filly, makes her first start over two and a half miles in a race won by her dam Molly Malone six years ago.
The daughter of Shamardal finished fourth behind another Godolphin runner Kitesurf in the Group 2 Darley Prix de Pomone over an extended 12 furlongs at Deauville in August before staying on strongly when a close third in the Group 3 Prix Gladiateur at Longchamp on September 9.
Morgan le Faye faces seven rivals headed by Group 2 Darley Prix Kergorlay winner Holdthasigreen and Mille Et Mille, who won the Prix du Cadran in 2015.
Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “We are very pleased to have kept Morgan Le Faye in training this year.
“All the evidence pointed to her improving with age and her performance in the Prix Gladiateur suggests that she is really beginning to peak.
“She has a very good turn of foot, but a G1 over this trip is always a big challenge, particularly for a filly coming up against some battle-hardened stayers.
“It’s hard to know how she will cope with two and a half miles, but her dam won this race so we are hopeful that she will stay.”
Brundtland, also raced by Appleby, seeks a second straight Group 2 success at Longchamp in the Prix Chaudenay. He is joined in the eight-runner race by the three-year-old Dubawi filly Lillian Russell. She has been successful on four of her six appearances, most recently when the comfortable winner of a 14-furlong Listed race at Maisons-Laffitte on September 7.
Appleby reported: “Brundtland brings a progressive profile into this race, having taken a big step up on his latest start when winning the Prix Niel.
“He has come out of that race well and we hope to see further improvement over this trip.
“James Doyle said that he galloped strongly to the line in the Prix Niel and took a bit of pulling up, so hopefully this sort of distance is the right way forward. If he stays, he should be the one to beat. ”
