Cape Verdi 2025 Proving Ground For Romantic Style

[Wandering Eyes]

Godolphin's G3 Prix Imprudence heroine Romantic Style (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) holds pride of place in Friday's AED850,000 G2 Cape Verdi Sponsored by Al Tayer Motors for fillies and mares. The 1600-metre Meydan turf feature will be the first start for the 4-year-old filly since a 12th-place finish in the G1 Prix Jean Prat on July 7. The start prior, she had wound up fourth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in May.

“We are very pleased with Romantic Style heading into her seasonal return and her preparation has gone well,” said trainer Charlie Appleby. “This is a starting point ahead of a potential European campaign and, if she runs to the level she showed in the French Guineas, it will make her the one to beat. Hopefully, this can set her up for a good year.”

If the boys in blue don't secure their 12th victory in the race, Goffs €6,000 bargain Easywithme (Ire) (El Kabeir) could take the victory laurels instead. A winner of four of her six starts, the daughter of Bella Ophelia (Ire) (Baltic King {GB}) has competed exclusively on the Scandinavian circuit.

“She's a smart little filly, although obviously she has a few pounds to find,” said Norway-based trainer Niels Petersen. “She's only run six times and she hasn't done a lot wrong. She ran against the Danish filly [Ultima] but on very heavy ground which she just didn't handle. She's going to love the ground [on Friday], love the distance and I wouldn't be surprised if she picked up a nice cheque.”

Danish trainer Veronika Jandova's Ultima (Ger) (Amaron {GB}) claimed the G3 Herbst-Stuten-Preis in her 2024 finale in October. She, too, is making her first desert foray and leaves from stall two.

Cocoa Beach Attracts Nine

On the undercard, the AED400,000 Cocoa Beach Stakes features striking debut winner Arigatou Gozaimasu (Honest Mischief), who was eighth versus males in the UAE 2000 Guineas Trial on Jan. 3. In addition, that filly has to contend with the Shahama Stakes one-two of Flama Sunshine (Flameaway) and Queen Azteca (Sharp Azteca).

“Flama Sunshine is doing great,” said Bhupat Seemar, who runs four in the race. “So is Salsabil Princess (Honor Code), although she's drawn a bit wide out. The other two are also doing well.

“I think the step up in distance will suit Reina Rosso (Vino Rosso) and Pocket Phone (Ire) (Almanzor {Fr}) as well. She would have learned a lot from her first race and up in distance will probably suit her.”

“We're really looking forward to her,” said trainer Niels Petersen of Queen Azteca, “She'll definitely be better up in distance and she's improved a lot from the run, so we're hopeful with her and she's our best chance on the night.”

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