Back on song in Royal Ascot's G2 Duke of Cambridge S. last month, Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) continued her renaissance with a career high in a stellar renewal of Friday's G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket. Mirroring Ascot tactics by settling in the rear for much of the straight mile, the 17-2 chance eased into contention with three furlongs remaining and kept on strongly under a drive up the hill to assert supremacy in good style. Euro Charline (GB) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) was a length behind at the line, a head in front of Avenir Certain (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}), in a blanket finish for the minor prizes.
“A lot of people thought it might have been a fluke at [Royal] Ascot, but I could only say what I felt on the day and I felt she was a class filly,” said rider James Doyle. “I didn't want today to get away from that, so I rode her with plenty of confidence and I knew at halfway it was a game of cat and mouse as we were going real steady. I knew if I got first jump on them, she's honest and would hit the line well. She goes on this ground, which is a big plus, as it's quick out there. She was a good 2-year-old and her form dipped slightly. She's a big girl, so I don't know if she went a bit light or whatever, but she's certainly all class.”
Amazing Maria failed to deliver on the promise shown in Goodwood's 2013 G3 Prestige S., and left a forgettable sophomore campaign behind when hitting the board in a May 9 Ascot handicap and the May 23 G3 Lanwades Stud S. at The Curragh in her penultimate start. Lighting up the boards in the June 17 G2 Duke of Cambridge S. at the Royal meet last time, she was once again positioned in the rear employing patient tactics and, after making eye-catching headway inside the final three furlongs, kept on strongly in the closing stages to register a personal best with something to spare.
“She was the outsider of the field at Royal Ascot and we didn't think she was without a chance that day,” commented David O'Meara. “I thought she could maybe be third behind Integral and Rizeena, but she won it and has confirmed today it was no fluke. I was told when she came to me she was a very good filly and [former trainer] Ed Dunlop rang me to say she was a Group 1 filly.”
O'Meara continued, “She's a proper filly and has got a Group 1 today, which is brilliant. She traveled well and moved to within a striking position quite easily for James. When he went for her she found plenty. It's very special and it hasn't quite sunk in yet. I suppose the [Aug. 2 G1] Prix Rothschild [at Deauville] would be the obvious race for her.”
Euro Charline, whose late withdrawal from Royal Ascot's G2 Duke of Cambridge S. stung connections, delighted Marco Botti this time around. “We were caught by surprise at Ascot and it was just frustrating what happened, but that is in the past,” the trainer remarked. “We were looking forward to this race and she didn't disgrace herself. The race did not pan out how we wanted it to as she's definitely happier getting cover and challenging late on. [Jockey] Andrea [Atzeni] said as there was no pace and he preferred to get her relaxed where she was. They all came in a bunch at her, but she kept finding and fighting all the way to the line.” Regarding future plans, Botti added, “Team Valor is keen to have another shot at the [GI] Beverly D. S., so we'll see how she comes out of this. The other race for her could be the Prix Rothschild.”
Friday, Newmarket, Britain
QIPCO FALMOUTH S.-G1, £217,500, NEW, 7-10, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:42.05, g/f.
1–&AMAZING MARIA (IRE), 133, f, 4, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Messias Da Silva, by Tale of the Cat
2nd Dam: Indy Power, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Clever Power, by Lines of Power
O/B-Sir Robert Ogden (IRE); T-David O'Meara; J-James Doyle. £123,344. Lifetime Record: GSP-Ire, 11-4-0-3, $383,861. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Euro Charline (GB), 133, f, 4, Myboycharlie (Ire)–Eurolink Artemis (GB), by Common Grounds (GB). (800gns Ylg '12 TATFEB; 13,000gns Ylg '12 TAOCT). O-Team Valor; B-Brian Liversage (GB); T-Marco Botti. £46,762.
3–Avenir Certain (Fr), 133, f, 4, Le Havre (Ire)–Puggy (Ire), by Mark of Esteem (Ire). (€45,000 Ylg '12 AR12). O-Antonio Caro & Gerard Augustin-Normand; B-Elisabeth Vidal (FR); T-Jean Claude Rouget. £23,403.
Margins: 1, HD, NO. Odds: 8.50, 11.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Bawina (Ire), Fintry (Ire), Lucida (Ire), Arabian Queen (Ire). Scratched: Integral (GB), Lady Dutch (GB). Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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