The Niarchos Family's G1 Coronation S. heroine Alpine Star (Ire) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) could step forward in the Oct. 4 G1 Prix de l'Opera. Last seen finished a good second in the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville on Sunday, the 3-year-old filly's plans are yet fluid, but she has exited that Deauville test well.
“The Prix de l'Opera is a definite possibility for Alpine Star,” said Alan Cooper, racing manager for owners, the Niarchos Family. “She got home ok and we'll need a few days to come up with a definitive plan.”
The Niarchos's Circus Maximus (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who they race jointly with the Coolmore partners of Sue Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derek Smith, ran 3/4 lengths behind the filly in the Jacques le Marois. A winner of the 2019 G1 Prix du Moulin, the Aidan O'Brien trainee is a possible for the 2020 version, which is on Sept. 6.
“I haven't spoken to Aidan yet,” said Cooper. “The Moulin is less than three weeks away. We'll see what Aidan would like to do. They both ran very well indeed. It was a top-class race and the winner is very good.
Cooper also provided an update on GSP Highest Ground (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who could take up his entry in the G3 Sky Bet And Symphony Group Strensall S. at York on Saturday.
“Sir Michael [Stoute] is definitely thinking of running him, but we'll just see how things go during the week and decide on Thursday,” said Cooper of the G2 Dante S. runner-up.”At the moment that's the plan. He'd be taking on older horses and it will be interesting to see.”
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