Farraaj, third in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, bids for Classic success
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)British interest in both Guineas at Capannelle
Preview: Italy, Sunday 3.20pm BST
Capannelle: Premio Parioli (Group 3) 1m, turf, 3yo colts
BRITISH-trained pair Farraaj (Roger Varian/Neil Callan) and Rockinante (Richard Hannon/Pat Dobbs) face eight rivals in the Italian 2,000 Guineas.
Farraaj is the top-rated runner in the field having ended last season by finishing third to Wrote in the Group 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf at Churchill Downs.
Trainer Roger Varian told his webiste: "Farraaj had the option of running here at Newmarket but we have decided to take him to Rome for the Italian 2,000 Guineas which had been a long-term plan.
"The race obviously looks competitive but he is in good form at home and we are excited about running him."
Dual Newmarket winner Rockinante is no stranger to racing abroad - three of his seven races have been in France, where he won in Listed company at Deauville in August and was fourth in a recent Group 3 won by 2,000 Guineas fancy French Fifteen.
Quoted on his website, Hannon said: "Most of the Rock of Gibraltar progeny prefer better ground, but Rockinante has some decent form in the mud from his forays to France and he ran well in the Prix Djebel last time. Pat Dobbs rides and hopefully he can finish in the money."
Also on Sunday
Capannelle: Premio Regina Elena (Group 3) 1m, turf, 3yo fillies, 4.35pm BST.
CLIVE BRITTAIN was the last British-based trainer to win this race, sending out Love Of Dubai to score in 2008, and he holds strong claims with Alsindi (Neil Callan).
The Saeed Manana-owned filly finished third in both the UAE 1,000 Guineas and Oaks at Meydan during February and picked up a Group 3 victory at Newmarket in September.
She had Nayarra back in third that day and she went on to win the Gran Criterium in October, the only Group 1 race for two-year-olds in Italy.
While Alsindi has major claims, she won't have everything her own way as CherryCollect (Stefano Botti/Fabio Branca) is widely regarded as the best three-year-old filly in Italy, having won five of her six starts.
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