G1 German Oaks third for Wuheida

Wuheida finished third after failing to stay the 11 furlongs of the G1 Preis der Diana - the German Oaks - at Dusseldorf, Germany, on Sunday, August 6. 

The three-year-old daughter of Dubawi, with William Buick in the saddle, chased the leaders in the 16-strong field.

Wuheida made progress in the straight to go third two furlongs out but could not sustain the challenge inside the final furlong, weakening but holding onto to third.

Lacazar won by three quarters of a length from Megera, with a further four lengths back to the Godolphin runner, who in turn finished two lengths ahead of the fourth Tusked Wings. The winning time was 2m 17.45s on ground described as soft.

Trainer Charlie Appleby commented: “Wuheida travelled well in the race and looked like the winner turning into the straight but could not quite see the trip out.

“The ground, which was on the slow side of good and bit tacky, cannot be taken as an excuse.

“This was another solid run from the filly, who was having only the fourth start of her career.

“Wuheida was G1 placed again and she is work in progress. We will drop her back in trip and target her for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1, Keeneland, USA, October 14)  which is run over nine furlongs.”

The filly made an excellent seasonal return over a mile in the G1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket, UK, on July 14, when she kept on to finish second to Roly Poly. 

Wuheida was unbeaten as a two-year-old, following up victory in a seven-furlong Newmarket maiden in August, 2016, with a comfortable three quarters of a length success in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac over a mile at Chantilly, France, in October.