Horse racing round-up: Dunaden aimed at the Arc

The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October may be the next showdown location for Dunaden and Danedream.

Andrasch Starke aboard Danedream wins the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot racecourse on July 21. Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Dunaden remains on course for a rematch with Danedream in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October despite running too freely in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.

The Melbourne Cup winner pulled hard under Craig Williams, the Australian rider, and acted as the pacemaker at Ascot Racecourse for the first three furlongs of the 1m 4f contest.

Although Dunaden was briefly headed by Robin Hood, Aidan O'Brien's pacemaker for stablemate St Nicholas Abbey, Dunaden regained the lead in the straight before tiring to finish sixth behind Danedream.

Trainer Mikel Delzangles reported that the race went the "worst possible way" and connections remain hopeful the six year old can show his true form in preparation for Europe's flagship event.

"There's no definite decision yet as I haven't had chance to speak to Sheikh Fahad, but my inclination would be to stick to the original target," David Redvers, the owner's racing manager, said.

"We didn't learn a great deal. He had no cover at all and was in front a long way out, which made him the rabbit for the others to aim at. He loves to come from behind and pass horses, so it was a bit of a farce.

"That said, my feeling is to stick to the original plan of the Arc, and he'll probably run in the Prix Foy beforehand."

The Prix Foy is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris in September and is a traditional trial for the Arc, although Sagace was the last winner to complete the double in 1994.

In America Royal Delta proved once again that her running in the Dubai World Cup was all wrong by winning her second successive start since flopping in Dubai.

Bill Mott's four-year-old filly held off the late thrust of Tiz Miz Sue on Saturday night to win the US$750,000 (Dh2.75 million) Delaware Handicap by a neck. Todd Pletcher's Awesome Maria was almost six lengths back in third.

The victory was her seventh win in 12 starts after she was bought back by Besilu Stables for $8.5m at the Keeneland Sales in November.

By picking up the $450,000 winner's cheque, Royal Delta gained automatic entry to the Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic, a race she won last season from Godolphin's It's Tricky.

Royal Delta will now be aimed at the $600,000 Invitational Handicap at Saratoga on August 26 before a defence of her title at Santa Anita in November.

Godolphin were also on the scoresheet Stateside when Questing, formerly with John Gosden, ran out an impressive winner of the American Oaks at Saratoga.

Trained by Kieren McLaughlin, Questing routed her rivals by just over four lengths in the Grade 1 event over 1m 1f.

McLaughlin, who won the Dubai World Cup with Invasor in 2007, was winning the race for the second year in a row following It's Tricky's success last season.

Questing will now be aimed at the Alabama Stakes at Saratoga on August 18. The Grade 1 event is staged over 10 furlongs.

Gosden also tasted success yesterday as Great Heavens showed a tremendous turn of foot to win the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh.