Is Rosarna or "Darma" another Zarkava?

Aga Khan debutante taking Zarkava route


Report: France, Tuesday

Longchamp

Will another Zarkava be born by the end of this week? On Tuesday at Longchamp the newcomer Rosanara made mincemeat of nine more experienced fillies in the Prix de la Tour des Dames over 1m.

On Friday, Alain de Royer-Dupre will debutanother Aga Khan filly in a similar race and Darma is apparently working better than Rosanara on the home gallops.

Christophe Soumillon, who landed a four-timer during the afternoon had very little to do on Rosanara, who cruised into the lead halfway up the straight to beat the favourite Aruna by four lengths.

It was an outstanding performance over precisely the same course and distance as Zarkava when she made her racing debut in the Prix de la Cascade almost two years ago.

Royer-Dupre said: "Rosanara is one of my fillies working well at home and there are others.

"Now I know that my gallops are up to scratch and I have one better than herat home - she is called Darma and runs at Chantilly on Friday."

Both fillies are entered in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day, a race won by the great Zarkava on her second start back in 2007.

>>Earlier in the afternoon, Soumillon had another armchair ride when Shalanaya came home three lengths clear of Russiana in the Listed Prix de Liancourt.

The pair took control a furlong and a half out and won by three lengths.

The William Muir trained Lady Francesca was given every chance by Martin Dwyer but she gradually dropped back in the straight to finish in seventh position.