Still No Felling the Germans in Their Oaks

Local filly Nicoreni takes Group 1 Preis der Diana; Coolmore, Godolphin well beaten

- Michael Lee

Outsider Nicoreni has allowed Germany to once again keep the Preis der Diana at home, extending a remarkable record of only two defeats by international horses in its 167 years.

The thrilling victory also handed leading Cologne trainer Peter Schiergen his fifth success in the €500,000 (S$746,000) Group 1 feature (2,200m) for fillies in Dusseldorf on Aug 3. The former top jockey also won the race atop Risen Raven in 1994.

Coolmore and Godolphin made up the only foreign assault with Garden Of Eden (Ryan Moore) and Spirited Style (William Buick) respectively.

But both failed to land a blow on a specialist track reputed for its challenging traits such as a short run to the first bend.

After settling at the rear, the two visitors — clad in their all-blue silks of two different shades — plotted the widest paths into the undulating home straight, but were incapable of making much ground when the chips were down.