Dance Sequence & Rock’n Swing hunting G1 Prix de Diane prize

G1 Oaks runner-up Dance Sequence bids to go one place better in the French equivalent, the G1 Prix de Diane, with Rock’n Swing also lining up in the Chantilly Classic on Sunday, 16 June. 

Dance Sequence posted an admirable performance at Epsom Downs at the end of May as she went down by three lengths to fellow Dubawi filly Ezeliya, despite looking ill at ease on the unique course. 

Following an unbeaten juvenile season, Dance Sequence was beaten a neck in the G3 Nell Gwyn Stakes on her three-year-old return for Charlie Appleby before coming home ninth in the G1 1,000 Guineas. 

Rock’n Swing makes a second consecutive French Classic appearance after finishing seventh, beaten two lengths in total, in last month’s G1 Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp. 

Trained by Andre Fabre, the daughter of Camelot had previously made an unbeaten start to her career, following up an impressive debut at Saint-Cloud in October with a straightforward success over the Pouliches course and distance in April. 

Charlie Appleby said: “Dance Sequence appears to have come out of Epsom in good shape. It’s always a bit tricky in terms of timing running in both races but we feel that she is showing the right signs. I feel dropping back in trip will suit and hopefully some ease in the ground won’t do her any harm. We are applying cheekpieces just to hopefully keep her concentration at the business end of the race. She has a sensible draw in seven and, if she can reproduce her Epsom form, she is going to be a big player.”

Louise Benard of Godolphin said: “Rock’n Swing has done well in the mornings since the Pouliches and we are quite confident that she will stay this distance. She has a wide draw [13], so Mickael [Barzalona] and Mr Fabre will need to work out any tactics. We are hoping for a good run and will be pleased if she can finish in the first part of the field.”

Andre Fabre and Mickael Barzalona team up earlier on the card with three-year-old colt Kind Of Kiss, who steps up in class and trip for the G3 Prix du Lys on the back of a Fontainebleau maiden success.