Goldikova beaten in Breeders Cup prep
DiscreetCat
Moderator
from Sporting LIfe:
Goldikova could finish only third as Varenar got up in the dying strides to spring a huge surprise in the Total Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.
The red-hot favourite looked like landing the spoils when she took over from Welsh Emperor early in the straight.
However, she had run quite keen from her wide draw under Olivier Peslier and could never pull clear of her rivals.
As Sweet Hearth came to challenge, it was Stephane Pasquier who brought the Aga Khan-owned Varenar with a strong run to complete a Group-race double for Alain de Royer-Dupre, who struck earlier with Manighar in the Prix Chaudenay.
A downcast Freddie Head said of Goldikova: "I do not know what happened. They went a gallop, but that is the name of the game. She didn't quicken. Turning into the straight she did not pick up and when he (Peslier) asked her she stayed on at the one pace.
"She might have used herself too much early on, but you couldn't say for sure. For the moment she is going to the Breeders' Cup, but nothing is definite and we will have to just see."
Christophe Soumillon was sixth on Oiseau de Feu on his first ride back after he fractured his elbow last month.
The winning owner's daughter Princess Zahra said: "He doesn't really show that much in his work so that was lovely and I think we've found our distance (seven furlongs).
"He's a fast horse and he's from a fantastic family."
Goldikova could finish only third as Varenar got up in the dying strides to spring a huge surprise in the Total Prix de la Foret at Longchamp.
The red-hot favourite looked like landing the spoils when she took over from Welsh Emperor early in the straight.
However, she had run quite keen from her wide draw under Olivier Peslier and could never pull clear of her rivals.
As Sweet Hearth came to challenge, it was Stephane Pasquier who brought the Aga Khan-owned Varenar with a strong run to complete a Group-race double for Alain de Royer-Dupre, who struck earlier with Manighar in the Prix Chaudenay.
A downcast Freddie Head said of Goldikova: "I do not know what happened. They went a gallop, but that is the name of the game. She didn't quicken. Turning into the straight she did not pick up and when he (Peslier) asked her she stayed on at the one pace.
"She might have used herself too much early on, but you couldn't say for sure. For the moment she is going to the Breeders' Cup, but nothing is definite and we will have to just see."
Christophe Soumillon was sixth on Oiseau de Feu on his first ride back after he fractured his elbow last month.
The winning owner's daughter Princess Zahra said: "He doesn't really show that much in his work so that was lovely and I think we've found our distance (seven furlongs).
"He's a fast horse and he's from a fantastic family."