Fidelite Defeats Hi Dubai in Prix Saint-Alary

Irish bred Fidelite upset Godolphin's Hi Dubai, the clear favorite for this year's Vodafone Oaks, in the Prix Saint-Alary (Fr-I) at Longchamp Sunday.

Fidelite was brought with a storming late run in the middle of the track by Olivier Peslier to grab the lead inside the final furlong, outrunning Hi Dubai to the wire by two lengths. The time for the 1 1/4-mile event was 2:06.3.

Arvada was third, finishing four lengths behind the winner, with Campsie Fells fourth.

The winner, by In the Wings and trained by Criquette Head-Maarek for the Wertheimer brothers, defeated several rivals who finished in front of her in the Prix Vanteaux.

"This win was fantastic and it now looks as if Fidelite will be heading for the Prix de Diane at Chantilly next month," the trainer said.

Hi Dubai, with Frankie Dettori in the saddle, hit the lead briefly, but could not match the winner after racing prominently all the way. The Godolphin team was not disappointed.

Simon Crisford, the team's racing manager, told The Racing Post, "That was an excellent trial for the Oaks although we would, of course, have preferred to win. Hi Dubai lacked experience and this outing will have given her a little more. She needs a mile and a half and looks sure to progress."

Dettori noted, "That's the first real race she's had. I was very pleased as Hi Dubai needed the outing and is still learning. She was tapped for toe at the end of the race.

Peslier, a four-time French champion rider, won three races on the day while scoring his first Group 1 event since teaming with owners in September.

Humouresque, with Thierry Thulliez riding, had every possible chance but the filly couldn't quicken before fading into sixth position.