High Rock's jockey Christophe Lemaire admits Natagora looks like the horse to beat heading into Sunday's Prix du Jockey-Club.
Jockey confident his mount can challenge
High Rock's jockey Christophe Lemaire admits Natagora looks like the horse to beat heading into Sunday's Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly.
The 29-year-old rode the Pascal Bary-trained filly to victory in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket four weeks ago, but he is claimed to ride High Rock for Jean-Claude Rouget in the French Derby.
"She won over seven furlongs, then the mile and I think the trip won't be a problem for her," Lemaire said.
"The only thing is that everybody knows her now and there will be 20 runners in the race.
"Maybe she won't be able to control the race as she would like, but she can sit just behind the leaders and she knows everything about her job.
"She's a very easy filly to ride and for me she has one of the best chances in the race. Of course she will be a big danger and she has the best form in the race.
"Frankie (Dettori) will be on board which will be a big plus."
Dettori came in for the plum ride as Godolphin's Ibn Khaldun was scratched after the horse was found to be lame on Friday morning.
Lame
"He's out of the French Derby, he was lame this morning so he can't run," said Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford.
"We don't know how long he is going to be out of action yet, we are currently investigating the problem. It's very disappointing."
Dettori is seeking his fourth Jockey-Club after wins on Polytain (1992), Shamardal (2005) and Lawman 12 months ago, and Natagora's connections are delighted with their late jockey booking.
"We are pleased to get him, of course. He won the race last year," said owner Stefan Friborg's racing manager Patrick Barbe.
No filly has won the race since La Moriniere in 1900, but very few have taken part, the last being Moonlight Dance in 1994 while Bella Paola finished second 50 years ago.
However, these statistics have failed to put off Natagora's connections.
"Our filly is 100%. No filly has won the race for over 100 years so it's hard to be confident but we are optimistic," Barbe went on.
"We are very happy with the draw (in stall 11), no problem."
Bary added: "I am very happy to get Lanfranco Dettori, he is one of the best jockeys in the world.
"He has never ridden her before and the first time he sits on her will be just before the race.
"I've been very happy with the filly. She had a one week rest after the Guineas and she went to Chantilly racecourse last week where she went for about seven furlongs.
Form
"She looks very well, appears to be in very good form and if she gets a mile and a quarter she will run very well.
"She has been drawn 11 of 20 so that should suit her, we won't be riding her from behind.
"It is very difficult to beat the colts with a filly. High Rock is a very nice horse, Trincot is very nice too so it will be difficult but it will be a good challenge," he told
At The Races.
Meanwhile, Lemaire was impressed when partnering High Rock to his latest victory at Longchamp and has high hopes of winning his first French Derby on the colt.
"His last race was very good. He was fresh and showed a very good turn of foot and won brilliantly," he added.
"I think he will come to the race in very good form. He is full of ability and we expect him to run a very good race."
