Dusseldorf

Sunday's G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana at Dusseldorf offers the usual puzzle, with Dr. Christoph Berglar's Amazing Grace (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}), who was taken out of the G1 Prix de Diane due to her wide draw, possibly the standard-setter in the German Oaks. Successful in Hoppegarten's G2 Diana Trial May 23, the chestnut beat Noble Heidi (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) by 3/4 of a length on that occasion before finishing runner-up in the 11-furlong G3 Mehl-Mulhens-Trophy at Hamburg July 4. First and second in this track's Listed Diana-Trial June 19, Palmas (Ger)...

Gestut Brummerhof's Novemba (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}) may have appeared to set an unsustainable pace when scooting off in front under Sybille Vogt in Sunday's G2 Wempe 101st German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf, but she was not for catching and powered further clear of toiling rivals to secure an impressive 7 1/2-length triumph. Vogt's enterprising tactics also yielded a first Classic success for a female rider. Novemba took two goes to shed maiden status, which she did at Hannover in August, and ran seventh in Baden-Baden's Sept. 12 G3 Zukunftsrennen before...

Gestut Auenquelle's Virginia Storm (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), a full-brother to Saturday's €975,000 Arqana Arc Sale topper Virginia Joy (Ger), registered a narrow debut verdict tackling 8 1/2 furlongs at Dusseldorf on Sunday. 1st-Dusseldorf, €5,100, Mdn, 10-4, 2yo, 8 1/2fT, 1:46.43, g/s. VIRGINIA STORM (GER) (c, 2, Soldier Hollow {GB}--Virginia Sun {Ger} {Hwt. Older Mare-Ger at 14f+ & GSW-Ger}, by Doyen {Ire}) was allowed time to find a comfortable rhythm and raced in a prominent second for most of this debut. Rowed along at the top of the straight, the...

Capping a week to remember even by his exalted standards, Frankie Dettori dropped in on Dusseldorf to whip up the crowd as he steered the Westerberg colour-bearer Miss Yoda (Ger) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) to glory in the G1 Henkel-Preis der Diana. On the front from the outset and allowed her own terms, the June 5 Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner was only headed briefly in early straight as Silence Please (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) loomed but when shaken up forged a 3/4-of-a-length success from Zamrud (Ger) (Samum {Ger}), who nosed...