By Tom Frary
Strongly-supported for Saturday's G2 Betfair Dahlia Fillies' S. at Newmarket, Godolphin's G2 Prix de la Nonette winner Terebellum (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) justified the burden of 10-11 favouritism to provide Frankie Dettori with his first winner in the royal blue since 2012. Travelling smoothly in mid-division early, the bay moved to Magic Lily (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and into the lead passing the two-furlong pole before holding Queen Power (Ire) (Shamardal) to score a shade comfortably by 1 1/4 lengths.
Making a bold impression with a 4 1/2-length winning debut at Goodwood last May, Terebellum looked too raw to do herself full justice when third in the Listed Abingdon S. over this trip at Newbury in June. By the time she reappeared at the Deauville August festival, she was cutting a more mature figure and brushed aside her rivals in the Prix de la Nonette only to lose out late when 1 1/2-lengths fifth in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix de l'Opera on Arc day.
John Gosden said, “She did that well. She got a little tired. She has only been on the Al Bahathri and this was her first time on grass in a long time. I think the first three are nice fillies and that was not a weak Dahlia at all. I think she just got tired at the end, as she carries a lot of condition. That is her trip and she wouldn't have wanted deep ground today. We'll see what we do going forward, there are races like the [G1] Pretty Polly at the Curragh and the [G1 Prix Jean] Romanet at Deauville for her.”
Sir Michael Stoute's assistant James Horton said of the runner-up, “We are delighted with her. We are just very pleased to get her back. She switched off very well. We are very pleased and she has run a big race.”
Terebellum is out of the G3 Brownstown S. winner Marvada (Ire) (Elusive City), who is herself a half-sister to the listed-placed Paint In Green (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) responsible for three black-type winners. They include the G1 Premio Lydia Tesio and G3 Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1000 Guineas) heroine Sound of Freedom (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}), while this is also the family of the G1 Prix Morny-winning sire Charge d'Affaires (GB) (Kendor {Fr}). Marvada's as-yet unraced 3-year-old filly Lady Andaz (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) is also in the Gosden stable and has entries next week. Her 2-year-old filly by Invincible Spirit (Ire) is named Miss Finland (Ire).
Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
BETFAIR DAHLIA FILLIES' S.-G2, £52,000, Newmarket, 6-6, 4yo/up, f, 10fT, 2:03.28, g/f.
1–TEREBELLUM (IRE), 126, f, 4, by Sea The Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Marvada (Ire) (GSW-Ire & SP-Eng, $166,526), by Elusive City
2nd Dam: Theory of Law (GB), by Generous (Ire)
3rd Dam: Lettre de Cachet, by Secreto
(€400,000 Ylg '17 ARAUG). O-Godolphin; B-Alan O'Flynn (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £29,489. Lifetime Record: GSW-Fr, 5-3-0-1, $150,667. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Queen Power (Ire), 126, f, 4, Shamardal–Princess Serena, by Unbridled's Song. (500,000gns Ylg '17 TATOCT). O-King Power Racing Co Ltd; B-Roundhill Stud (IRE); T-Sir Michael Stoute. £11,180.
3–Magic Lily (GB), 129, m, 5, New Approach (Ire)–Dancing Rain (Ire), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O/B-Godolphin (GB); T-Charlie Appleby. £5,595.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1HF, 6. Odds: 0.91, 4.50, 2.25.
Also Ran: Eva Maria (GB), Bubble and Squeak (GB), Sweet Promise (GB), Ardiente (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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