G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin

Proving that the mile-and-a-half trip holds no fears, Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}--Love On My Mind {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) made his first start in the Masaaki Matsushima silks a resoundingly impressive one as he got back on the group 1-winning trail in Sunday's Grosser Preis von Berlin. Always happy in the box seat under Dylan Browne McMonagle, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Arc hopeful stayed on powerfully to take control 300 metres from the finish and stormed to a five-length success from Narrativo (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}), with Best Of Lips...

Group 1 winner Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will race for the Al Riffa Syndicate and Masaaki Matsushima beginning in Sunday's G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin. The Joseph O'Brien trainee's long-term goal remains the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. Matsushima has already enjoyed some success in Europe as the part-owner of G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud winner Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}). The 4-year-old won the G1 National Stakes at two, and added runner-up finishes in both the G3 International S. and G2 Prix Guillaume d'Ornano. Fourth in the...

Deauville stages the G1 LARC Prix Maurice de Gheest on Sunday, where David Ward's G1 July Cup hero Starman (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}) has to tackle testing ground as he bids to put his marker down on the sprinting division. Beaten only once when encountering soft going in Ascot's G1 Qipco British Champions Sprint S., the 4-year-old nevertheless carries significant stable confidence into the 6 1/2-furlong highlight. "He's in cracking form and we're super excited, so fingers crossed," trainer Ed Walker said. "Everything has gone very well since the July...

Alpinista (GB) (Frankel {GB}), whose granddam Albanova (GB) (Alzao) won the G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin in 2004, is under consideration for the same race at Hoppegarten on Aug. 8. Another potential target for the July 3 G2 Lancashire Oaks heroine is the G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry S. at Glorious Goodwood on July 31. The Kirsten Rausing silksbearer also captured the Apr. 30 Listed Daisy Warwick Fillies' S. "She's fine," said trainer Sir Mark Prescott. "She'll either go for the Lillie Langtry at Goodwood or she might go to Germany...