Rosacea rockets into Classic contention with Group 3 win at Longchamp

Longchamp: Sunday

Rosacea toppled some tall reputations while hugely enhancing her own when coming from last to first to land the Group 3 Prix de la Grotte, the key trial for the French version of the 1,000 Guineas, the Emirates Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

Owner-breeder Jurgen Winter and trainer Stephane Wattel will have spent the winter harbouring Classic dreams after a similar performance in the Prix des Reservoirs last October, although that came on deep ground at Deauville.

"Quick ground doesn’t always suit hold-up horses around here, and not much has come from behind today, but they went a good pace and she has such a turn of foot that the tactics are much less important," said Wattel.

"She has become very relaxed in her work and has developed a habit of pulling herself up once she goes past her lead horses, and I half wondered if she had lost a little of her fighting spirit. But I am happy with the answer she gave there!

"We have a month of preparing for a Classic and the whole yard will enjoy it to the full."

Daisy Maisy completed a Deauville-trained forecast for trainer Yann Barberot, while Mangoustine ran a fine comeback under the gaze of her co-owner, former NBA star Tony Parker.

Acer Alley appeared to be outstayed in fourth and trainer Francis Graffard may look to take her back to seven furlongs at some stage, although she is likely to take her chance in the Poule.

Andre Fabre warned earlier in the week that the previously unbeaten Raclette had yet to come to hand and she duly ran a conservative race under Olivier Peslier, never really picking up from the back of the field.

Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon said: "It was her first run and while of course we’re disappointed getting beat, it’s the start of a long season and we’ve a long way to go.

"I'm sure she’ll get ten furlongs but it was mainly about blowing away the cobwebs today. She hasn’t fully come in her coat and I’d say she’ll improve for today."

Welwal books his place in the Poulains

Ironically, it was a colt who made a winning debut on the same Deauville card as Raclette but who was then well beaten when the two met at Chantilly, who took the colts' trial, the Prix de Fontainebleau.

Welwal then added a second success before the close of the year but could finish only second on his return to action over 1m1f of the Chantilly Polytrack last month, albeit his conqueror Junko went on to win the Prix Hocquart later on this card.

"He needed to win today to show he was up to running in the best races and he did it well," said trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.

"He faced an impossible task the day he met Raclette, while the other day he was ridden for a place to bring him on with a winning chance today.

He has strengthened up over the winter and I don't think he has finished surprising us yet."

Results, replays and analysis

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