Stall Lucky Owner's Ajaxana will try to spring back from a narrow defeat at Hannover last time out as she attempts to add a second German classic victory to her record Aug. 3 at Dusseldorf.
The daughter of Rock of Gibraltar is among a dozen 3-year-old fillies set for the Henkel-Preis der Diana-Deutsches Stuten-Derby (Ger-I, German Oaks), a 2,200-meter (about 1 3/8-mile) turf test.
Trained by Waldemar Hickst, Ajaxana captured the German One Thousand Guineas (Ger-II) May 25 at Dusseldorf, defeating Indian Rainbow by three-quarters of a length for her first classic win. She could only manage a close second next time out, when Red Dubawi edged past her in the Grosser Preis der VGH Versicherungen (Ger-II) July 13 at Hannover.
Challengers include Dr. Alexandra Margarete Renz's Papagena Star, winner of the July 8 Hamburger Stuten-Preis (Ger-III) over Diana entrants Lacy and Oriental Magic; and Gestut Ittlingen's homebred Longina, winner of a key prep in the Diana Trial (Ger-II) going 2,000 meters (about 1 14 miles) June 8 at Hoppegarten.
Others are Dr. Christoph Berglar's homebred Ninfea, a stakes-placed half sister to multiple European group I winner Novellist who was second to spectacular German Derby (Ger-I) winner Sea The Moon in her career bow last September of Cologne; and Gestut Gorlsdorf's homebred Wunder, who is undefeated in three career starts, including the Prix Chloe (Fr-III) June 30 at Chantilly in her most recent outing.
Henkel-Preis der Diana-Deutsches Stuten-Derby (Ger-I, German Oaks), Aug. 3, Dusseldorf, 3YO fillies, 2,200 meters (about 1 3/8 miles), turf
No. PP Horse (Where Bred) (Sire), Jockey, Trainer
1. 10. Ajaxana (GER) (Rock of Gibraltar), A. Crastus, W. Hickst
2. 7. Wunder (GER) (Adlerflug), A. Helfenbein, M. Klug
3. 1. Diamond Dove (GER) (Dr Fong), F. Tylicki, A. Lowe
4. 9. Longina (GER) (Monsun), A. de Vries, P. Schiergen
5. 11. Papagena Star (IRE) (Amadeus Wolf), M. Seidl, M. Klug
6. 6. Ninas Terz (GER) (Tertullian), D. Porcu, P. Schiergen
7. 4. Lacy (GER) (Authorized), S. De Sousa, W. Hickst
8. 8. Ninfea (GER) (Selkirk), E. Pedroza, A. Wohler
9. 5. Tanamia (GER) (Nayef), J. Bojko, A. Wohler
10. 2. Feodora (GER) (Lord of England), M. Demuro, A. Wohler
11. 3. Oriental Magic (GER) (Doyen), F. Minarik, J. Hirschberger
12. 12. World's Dream (GER) (Doyen), F. Minarik, M. Klug
All to carry 128 pounds.
