Gracia Directa off to Goodwood (above) next for the Group 3 Oak Tree
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Oak Tree target for York winner Gracia Directa
GRACIA DIRECTA, who landed the Group 3 Summer Stakes at York on her first start in Britain, will bid to plunder another prize on foreign soil when she runs at Glorious Goodwood, according to owner-trainer Dominik Moser.
The Group 3 Oak Tree Stakes on August 3 is being targeted by Moser, who thinks the extra furlong at Goodwood will play to the strengths of his filly.
"I think that she is better over 7f compared to six and we will see if she can continue improving," said Moser, who was taken by surprise by the ground on his arrival at York last week.
He added: "We didn't know how she would cope with the going at York as we were expecting soft ground, but the going descriptions in Britain are different to Germany - if it's soft in Germany, then you nearly have to swim through it."
Despite already having a Listed win to her name in her native Germany, Moser says expectations were low before the Summer Stakes, where Gracia Directa had the likes of Sentaril and Margot Did well in arrears.
Moser added: "She surprised us with her victory at York because it was a big step up for her to take on sprinters in Britain. German trainers don't normally target sprint races in Britain as they are very competitive but we wanted to see how good she is."
Curragh-based trainer Takashi Kodama is another eyeing the five-day fixture and is hoping to run Shadow Gate and King's Trail, both of whom were Group winners in Japan before transferring to Ireland.
Kodama said: "I'm looking at possibly running Shadow Gate in the Coutts Glorious Stakes. He is in good form - we missed Royal Ascot with a minor problem but he is back in full training now.
"King's Trail disappointed in the Royal Hunt Cup but he had a problem with his breathing and his blood wasn't quite right afterwards. He's a much better horse than he showed there and I am looking to step him back up to 10f. He could line up in the bet365.com Handicap."
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