Rosa Imperial switches to dirt in Godolphin Mile

Lightly-raced Rosa Imperial encounters a new surface and steps up in distance for the G2 Godolphin Mile on Dubai World Cup Night at Meydan, UAE, on Saturday, 31 March. 

The Andre Fabre-trained five-year-old, winner of the first three of her five career starts, switches to dirt after racing over shorter trips in France.

She started out in terrific style last year with three victories on turf that culminated with a comfortable length success in the six-furlong G3 Prix de Ris-Orangis at Maisons-Laffitte in June. 

Rosa Imperial stepped up to G1 company in the Prix Maurice de Gheest over six and a half furlongs at Deauville in August, but could never get competitive and finished ninth.

She warmed up for her UAE debut with a staying-on second over the same trip in a conditions race on Polytrack at Chantilly on 6 March, beaten three quarters of a length by City Light, the pair clear. 

Mickael Barzalona, who has ridden Rosa Imperial on all her outings to date, again partners the Pivotal mare, who breaks from stall 13 in a field of 14, with prolific Meydan winner Heavy Metal, US raider Economic Model and recent G3 Burj Nahaar winner Kimbear set to provide the main opposition. 

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented: “Rosa Imperial has done very well since her arrival in Dubai two weeks ago. 

“She has strengthened and has really started to come in her coat. She goes into this race in very good form. 

“It’s a new surface and a new trip, so there are a lot of unknowns, but she has been moving very well on dirt.  

“Andre seems confident that she will get the mile and Pivotal progeny have a relatively good record on dirt. We are hopeful that she can run a good race.”