Appleby targets winning farewell for Desert Flower

Charlie Appleby is keen to find his 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower a suitable opportunity to go out on a high ahead of her planned retirement at the end of the season.

The Moulton Paddocks handler enjoyed a Classic double at Newmarket in early May, with Desert Flower’s success preceded by victory for Ruling Court in the 2000 Guineas the previous afternoon, but both have come up short in their subsequent top-level assignments.

Ruling Court will join Prix Maurice de Gheest-bound stablemate Shadow Of Light in action at Deauville in the coming weeks, but it is still to be determined where Desert Flower will be seen next as Appleby eyes the perfect end to the high-class filly’s career after she was beaten into third place as a hot favourite for the Oaks last month.

“Epsom took it’s toll on her and she’s back in work now, but I’m not going to pigeon-hole her into any race just yet,” said Appleby.

“There’s only really two races left for her and she’s not going to be a Breeders’ Cup filly. She could be a Prix Jean Romanet filly and realistically that is going to come too soon, but we’ll have to see.

“She’s a filly that owes us nothing and was always going to be retired at the end of this season. She’s far from retirement yet though and I just want to pick the right race to finish it off.

“It could be either a mile or 10 furlongs. A mile event might just become an easier option as the mile-and-a-quarter and mile-and-a-half fillies look the stronger divisions at the moment, so I would probably look for something at a mile if I could.”

There may be some indecision regarding Desert Flower’s next assignment, but the Prix Guillaume d’Ornano was immediately highlighted by Appleby as Ruling Court’s next destination following his creditable third place finish in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown.

Appleby added: “He’s targeted to head to Deauville and I’m a big believer in getting their heads in front to gain confidence.

“It’s pointless stepping up and stepping up and keep getting chinned as after a certain amount of time they lose interest. There’s a method behind it and hopefully it pays off.”