Gestut Schlenderhan's homebred 3-year-old filly Mountaha (Ger) (Guiliani {Ire}–Montfleur {GB}, by Sadler's Wells) ran third to subsequent G3 Preis der Winterkonigin heroine Lizaid (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}) when making her debut over one mile at Hannover last September and bested a pair of subsequent winners when breaking through over the same trip at Dortmund in her only other start the following month. Sent postward with confidence aplenty as the 21-10 favourite to make a winning comeback in Sunday's G3 Karin Baronin von Ullmann – Schwarzgold-Rennen at Cologne, she took the one-mile heat by storm and was mightily impressive in scorching to a six-length triumph. Steadied to track the leaders from off the pace in seventh after breaking in the front rank, Mountaha made eyecatching headway in the centre of the track to launch her challenge with 300 metres remaining and powered clear inside the final furlong to easily outclass French raider Chaussons Roses (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) by daylight for a career high.
Mountaha is not entered in the June 12 G2 German 1000 Guineas and will target Dusseldorf's Aug. 7 G1 Preis der Diana – German Oaks, for which she now shares 5-1 joint-favouritism with last month's G3 Dr Busch-Memorial victrix Mylady (Ger) (The Grey Gatsby {Ire}). “She is something very special,” winning rider Andrasch Starke told GaloppOnline. “She had been working very well at home and looked an absolute picture in the parade ring beforehand. The [one-mile] trip isn't her ideal distance, but she did everything well and confirmed what we knew she could do.” Trainer Markus Klug, who registered a treble on the day's card, added, “Mares with a lot of class can also run to the front at the wrong distance. She looked very good today and, of course, her main goal is the [Preis der] Diana. We'll get her home, see how she is and we'll continue from there.” Baron Georg von Ullmann made a sporting gesture at the prize-giving ceremony for the contest sponsored by the Ullmann family. “She is a very good mare and the victory is something very special,” he said. “I passed the honorary prize on to the second-placed finisher, as I think that's how it should be.”
Mountaha, who becomes the second pattern-race winner for her sire (by Tertullian), is the 10th of 11 foals and one of seven scorers out of a half-sister to three stakes performers headed by GSW sires Mr. Mellon (Red Ransom) and Seeking the Best (Ire) (Seeking the Gold). The April-foaled homebred is kin to G1 Doomben Cup-winning sire Mawingo (Ger) (Tertullian) and a 2-year-old colt by Adlerflug (Ger). Her GIII Busher S.-winning second dam Mackie (Summer Squall) ran third in the GI Ashland S. and is a half-sister to MGISW sires Sea Hero (Polish Navy) and Hero's Honor (Northern Dancer).
Sunday, Cologne, Germany
KARIN BARONIN VON ULLMANN – SCHWARZGOLD-RENNEN-G3, €55,000, Cologne, 5-8, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:37.01, gd.
1–MOUNTAHA (GER), 128, f, 3, by Guiliani (Ire)
1st Dam: Montfleur (GB), by Sadler's Wells
2nd Dam: Mackie, by Summer Squall
3rd Dam: Glowing Tribute, by Graustark
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. O/B-Gestut Schlenderhan (GER); T-Markus Klug; J-Andrasch Starke. €32,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-1, €35,150. *1/2 to Mawingo (Ger) (Tertullian), G1SW-Aus, GSW-Ger & G1SP-Sin, $992,288. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Chaussons Roses (Ire), 128, f, 3, New Approach (Ire)–Go Lovely Rose (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Mme Anne-Marie Hayes; B-Knocktoran Stud (IRE); T-Fabrice Chappet. €12,000.
3–La Estrellita (Ire), 128, f, 3, Churchill (Ire)–La Merced (Ger), by Tiger Hill (Ire). (€26,000 Ylg '20 BBAGS). 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-El Sur Racing; B-Stiftung Gestut Fahrhof (IRE); T-Michael Figge. €6,000.
Margins: 6, HF, 1. Odds: 2.10, 6.60, 10.70.
Also Ran: Lacuna (GB), Rondina (Ger), Barina (Ire), Valpolicella (Ger), Quarantini (Ger), Enjoy The Dream (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
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