Corazon rewards George Boughey and Nick Bradley with Group 3 glory at Longchamp
There were some good form lines among the British and French-trained juveniles who lined up in the Group 3 Prix d'Arenberg at Longchamp, but it was won by Lingfield maiden winner Corazon.
The twice-raced daughter of Markaz – one of two runners to carry the colours of Nick Bradley Racing – was away smartly over the slick Longchamp five furlongs and, after briefly coming off the bridle at the two-furlong marker, responded well under Mickael Barzalona to fight off the attentions of the favourite Dizzy Bizu and Illustrating.
Shareholders Ron Johnson and Nick Budimir ensured there was a warm welcome for the winner, and Johnson said: "She's been working well, and although we were worried she might not break too well, she did just that. Mickael rode her beautifully and after she was headed he gave her a quick reminder and she responded well."
Winning trainer George Boughey added: "I felt she might have been the best of them when she first arrived in January, but she's just taken a while to come to hand. She's always shown plenty of pace at home and obviously she’s getting better.
"She ran well on her debut and then won at Lingfield. William Buick was impressed with her that day when she finished very quickly, so this wasn't a total surprise – it's nice to have a fast one.
"The Flying Childers closes in a couple of days, but that could come too quickly for her as she's had a 30-hour journey each way. Nick Bradley just asked me if she was in the Abbaye, but I didn't enter her, sadly. We'll probably have to step her up in trip at some point to give her more options, but she's pretty deadly running over five furlongs."
Owner Peter Savill was on hand to see Dizzy Bizu run and trainer Stephane Wattel indicated a return to six furlongs in the Group 2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly could be on the cards.
Sibila Spain on course for Prix de l'Opera
After a luckless passage in one Group 1 and late heartbreak in a second, Sibila Spain put her Listed rivals to the sword when dominating the 1m2½f Prix de Liancourt.
The Yeguada Centurion-owned runner was partnered for the first time by Olivier Peslier, who afterwards told trainer Christopher Head that it was like "riding two different fillies", as Sibila Spain left her leisurely morning habits behind.
Head said: "I'm very pleased but also surprised at how fast she is in her races, because she has a pedigree for a mile and a half. She shows such speed and has such a relentless gallop, there remains a tiny question about her trip.
"The Opera is still the race for her and there will be a conversation with her owners. She looks a tiny bit vulnerable at the end 2,100 metres [1m2½f] and I think the 2,000 metres [1m2f] will help her.
"Olivier did the right thing in letting her stride on, and while she got a little bit tired at the end she will come on a lot for this. She will be even better next year."
In-form Barzalona
Barzalona also landed the Prix de Fontenoy and Prix de la Cascade, two mile maidens with a rich history of unearthing future talent.
Victor Ludorum, who is set to run in the Prix du Moulin on Sunday, made a big impression in the Prix de Fontenoy two years ago and Barzalona was in control from some way out aboard another Godolphin colt trained by Andre Fabre, the imposing Chancellery, a £675,000 breeze-up purchase at Arqana's Doncaster sale in May.
Barzalona and Fabre then struck with Juddmonte homebred Agave, who justified favouritism in the fillies' race, the Prix de la Cascade.
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