THE Group 1 German Oaks at Düsseldorf tomorrow, or to give it its correct name, the 161st Henkel Preis der Diana, is the big race this weekend in Germany. It is the second most valuable race of the German season, after the Deutsches Derby, and like that race the runners are listed in handicap order on the race card.

In theory therefore, they should finish in the order one-two-three-four, and this almost happened in the Derby. However, that seemed to be a very clear-cut race, whereas the Diana, as it is usually known, looks wide open and almost any of the 13 runners, all German-trained, could win.

The winners of all the major trials, and most of the placed horses as well, are entered. Gestüt Röttgen’s Akribie won the Hoppegarten trial, often the best guide, and is the number one; she is the choice of stable jockey Adrie de Vries from Markus Klug’s three runners, but the other two, Satomi – the Hoppegarten runner-up – and Diamanta, could also be dangerous.

Peter Schiergen has two promising entries: the supplemented Durance, the mount of Andrasch Starke, and Skyful Sea, for whom Martin Dwyer has been booked; the latter is a half-sister by Sea The Stars to 2012 winner Salomina.

Schiergen has a good record in this race, as does Andreas Wöhler and his stable jockey Eduardo Pedroza, who have already teamed up to win the German Derby this year and now have Shining Pass to represent them. Jean-Pierre Carvalho, who trained last year’s winner, is also double-handed with Ismene and Mythica, both Schlenderhan homebreds.

Düsseldorf is a good track for front-runners, especially when the track rides fast as is likely to be the case, and Naida, who likes to bowl along in front and was only caught close home by Ismene last time, could be a big threat from her favourable draw.

But the really interesting one is Donjah, a daughter of Teofilo, who looked a great prospect last year when winning both her starts very easily against highly-rated colts.

An ambitious programme was mapped out, including both the Deutsches Derby and the Diana, but after a setback earlier in the year she now makes her seasonal debut.

Her trainer Henk Grewe is in great form and currently leads the German statistics; on pedigree she should certainly this trip and if she is anywhere near the form she showed last autumn, she could well be the answer to this tricky race.