Sarafina: landed Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp on Sunday

  PICTURE: Scoop Dyga  

Sarafina survives stewards' in Saint-Alary

Report: France, Sunday

Longchamp: Montjeu Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Group 1) 1m2f, 3yo, fillies

THE Aga Khan's Sarafina survived a stewards' inquiry to win the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp on Sunday.

Trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, Sarafina drifted across T'As D'Beaux Yeux, forcing her jockey Olivier Peslier to snatch up, but the result stood with Khalid Abdullah's Deluxe running on for second.

Godolphin's Hibaayeb, who took the nine-runner field along at a moderate gallop, was third under Frankie Dettori.

De Royer-Dupre, who was winning his fourth Saint-Alary, said: "It wasn't a great interference and she really walked all overthem. She's a very good filly, but still has a lot to learn.

"She just had a stroll this afternoon and I want to see how she comes out of the race before deciding on her future. She could turn out for the Prix de Diane [at Chantilly on June 13], but we already have Rosanara in that race."

Sarafina, a daughter of 2003 2,000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend, only made her debut this month and, despite the interference, produced a performance full of promise.

Settled in midfield by Gerald Mosse, Sarafina was struggling for space when she was slightly disrupted by the weakening On Verra. In turn, she drifted right and into T'As D'Beaux Yeux, who finished eighth.

Once clear, though, Sarafina picked up and quickened past Hibaayeb, who put a disappointing display in the StanJames.com 1,000 Guineas behind her.

Last but one at Newmarket, Hibaayeb had most of her rivals on the stretch but could not match the front two for speed.

Trainer Saeed Bin Suroor confirmed the Investec Oaks - for which she is a general 25-1 - at Epsom on June 4 would be Hibaayeb's next target and Dettori said: "She is entered in the Oaks so that would seem to be an obvious next step.

"She ran much better today than Newmarket and is still improving."

"It was a very good run and she wanted a trip. She will come on a lot for this run."

Deluxe could bid for compensation in the Prix de Diane and jockey Maxime Guyon added:"She was very courageous and never gave up."