Proportions Bids For Perfect Ten

Divine Proportions will bid to take her unbeaten record into double figures when she faces a small but select field in the Prix Jacques le Marois on Sunday.

The Pascal Bary-trained filly will also attempt to give the Niarchos family their ninth victory in the Deauville highlight after Miesque (1987 and ´88), Hector Protector (1991), Exit to Nowhere (1992), East Of The Moon (1994), Spinning World (1996 and ´97) and Six Perfections (2003).

She is a 4-5 chance to continue her 100 per cent strike rate with the leading bookmakers - but is stepping into the unknown by facing older colts for the first time.

Only five horses are taking her on but three of them - Dubawi, Valixir and Whipper - are Group One winners.

She is, however, reported in top shape after her latest success in he Prix d´Astarte over the course and distance two weeks ago.

'She´s really well and I was more than satisfied with her final workout on Tuesday. The filly´s come on for her run in the d´Astarte,' said Bary.

In registering win number nine, Divine Proportions found herself having to be taken wide by her jockey Christophe Lemaire after being stuck behind a wall of horses.

Reflecting on that performance, Bary said: 'She hadn´t done a great deal of work before that race and was a little lax leaving the stalls.

'On Sunday she´ll be sharper and more energetic and will be ridden closer to the leaders.'

Divine Proportions will have the services of a pacemaker in Semarang, trained by Jonathan Pease, while Godolphin have Council Member to do the job for Dubawi.

The son of Dubai Millennium, winner of the Irish 2000 Guineas winner, has not raced since finishing third in the Vodafone Derby and is dropping back in trip.

'Dubawi´s preparation has gone very well - there have been no problems at all. When Kerrin McEvoy rode him in his last piece of work he was very happy with him,' trainer Saeed bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com.

'It will be a very tough race, with the likes of Divine Proportions and Valixir, but I think we have a good chance. If the ground is good or good to soft it will suit him better.

'Council Member should ensure the pace will suit Dubawi.'

The four-year-old Valixir showed his class when defeating Rakti in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot at York and has won his last three starts for owner the Aga Khan and trainer Andre Fabre.

Whipper is out to take this prestigious prize for the second year running and showed his well-being with victory in the Prix Maurice de Gheest last Sunday.

Robert Collet´s four-year-old colt had finished second to Somnus in that race over six and a half furlongs 12 months ago before denying Six Perfections a repeat Marois triumph.

The going at Deauville is reported as good.

(C) PA Sport