TDN RISING STARS

July 9, 2011 - NEWMARKET, Race , Mdn, GBP £10,000, 6f, 16.4500

Desert Gazelle, F, 2, 2009 by Smart Strike

1st Dam: Code Book, by Giant's Causeway
2nd Dam: Secret Status, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Private Status, by Alydar

Owner: Godolphin
Breeder: W. S. Farish, BCWT, Ltd. & Inwood Stable
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor

Desert Gazelle was well-touted for this debut, but started as the 7-2 second choice in the face of significant support for Cheveley Park's 9-4 favorite Ladyship (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}), a daughter of Peeress (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) who was also making her career bow. Showing a professional attitude from the outset to race prominently, the $400,000 FTSAUG yearling was given a squeeze by Frankie Dettori to make her presence felt passing halfway, and arrived on the front end traveling ominously approaching the final furlong. Scooting clear under hand riding up the rising ground, the chestnut had a four-length margin to spare over Cheworee (GB) (Milk It Mick {GB}), with the initially keen Ladyship staying on encouragingly to be a further half-length behind in third. Desert Gazelle's dam is a half-sister to 2009 GI Belmont S. runner-up Dunkirk (Unbridled's Song), and her second dam captured the GI Kentucky Oaks and GI Mother Goose S. in 2000. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, £6,469.