Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Group 1-placed Novakai (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) is in good order ahead of a run in the G1 Prix de Diane later this month, trainer Karl Burke revealed on Saturday.
A debut winner at Doncaster, she was second in the G2 May Hill S. two starts later back at that venue in September and ended her year with another second-place effort, this time in the G1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket a month later. She made her 2023 in the G3 Musidora S. at York last month, and once again found one too good in subsequent G1 Betfred Oaks heroine Soul Sister (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).
“She's on target for Prix de Diane, she looks in great shape,” said Burke, who won the 2018 edition with Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}). “She's not a particularly strong work horse at home, but she does look in good form and we're very happy with her.
“The Musidora form obviously got a nice boost and she'll step up on that York form as well.”
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
