Europe: Dalkala goes long - real long - in the Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp

The 3-year-old filly Dalkala can end an already successful October campaign at Longchamp when she starts as a leading contender in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Royal-Oak in Paris.

Dalkala won the Group 2 Prix de Royallieu over 1 9/16 miles for fillies and mares at Longchamp on Oct. 6, leading throughout to win by a short neck over favored Shirocco Star.

The Prix Royal-Oak is run over 1 15/16 miles and will be the longest race of Dalkala’s career, which includes a win in the Group 2 Prix de Cleopatre over 1 3/8 miles on turf in May.

The $322,000 Prix Royal-Oak drew a field of eight, including Brown Panther, who was third in the Irish St. Leger on Sept. 15. In 2011, Brown Panther was second in the English St. Leger.

◗ In Sunday’s Group 1 Premio Lydia Tesio for fillies and mares at Capannelle, Italy, Sajjhaa, owned by Godolphin Racing, makes her first start since a second in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York in May.

The $187,500 Tesio drew a field of 11 and is run over 1 1/4 miles on turf.

Quiza Quiza Quiza is the defending champion, but was eighth in the Prix de l’Opera in her last start, which came in Paris on Oct. 7.

There will be support for Nova Hawk, a Group 3 winner in Italy in September, and Aquamarine, who was third in the Group 2 Premio Federico Tesio in Italy last month.