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Snow Fairy still has the magic touch in Romanet return
Snow Fairy lacked the early pizzazz of the former Ed Dunlop legend Ouija Board, but her Group 1 Epsom Oaks success on her eighth start proved just the beginning of her own success story. Following up by eight lengths in the Irish equivalent, she rounded off her sophomore campaign with purse-busting wins in two of the Far East's boutique contests, the Queen Elizabeth II Commemorative Cup and Group 1 Hong Kong Cup. While it took her three runs to click back into place last term, she shook up So You Think when a half-length second in the Group 1 Irish Champion at Leopardstown and followed that with third placings in the Group 1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and Ascot's Group 1 Champion Stakes before returning to win again at Kyoto. This cast was made up of four opposing Group 1 winners of serious merit and all had a race-fitness advantage over her, but none could match Snow Fairy's extra final gear, which has proven so decisive on her travels throughout the last two years. "We'll take her back home now and see how she is, but she is in the (September 8) Irish Champion and it was always in our minds to go back there if we could, as she was second last year," Dunlop said. "That is probably the plan at the moment, but we'll have to assess her." Runner-up Izzi Top attempted to match the winner's acceleration from behind, but lacked the final surge to make more of a battle of it. "She's run a great race and the other is a top-class filly whose stamina told in the end," trainer John Gosden said. "The plan is to freshen her up for a tilt at the Prix de l'Opera de Longchamp (Group 1 on October 7)." Galikova appeared to have the run of the race tracking her pacemaker Tempura, but was one-paced from the top of the home straight and plugged on into third late on having looked likely to drop back. Also at Deauville Sunday, Reckless Abandon extended his perfect record in the Group 1 Prix Morny for juveniles. Despite not charting an entirely straight course when winning Royal Ascot's Group 2 Norfolk Stakes over five furlongs June 21 and the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin over a half-furlong further at Maisons-Laffitte last time July 22, the ability of Reckless Abandon was not open to any question. Showing early dash to lead from the outset, he was skillfully guided to the rail by Gerald Mosse to avoid a repeat of his tendency to veer left and was kept honest by the speedy Penny's Picnic on his outer. Shrugging off that rival passing halfway, the 7-5 favorite surged to a clear advantage. He had all rivals off the bridle at the quarter-pole and stayed straight and true as he was pushed out to score by three-quarters of a length from George Vancouver. "Reckless Abandon is a very talented horse who hasn't stopped improving since we've had him," trainer Clive Cox commented. "He has put on 17 kilograms since his first race, we have been going step-by-step with him and he is now an undefeated Group 1 winner." Reckless Abandon's debut over five furlongs at Doncaster May 19 was characterized by a show of authority despite a wayward path in the closing stages and that quirk was more exaggerated at the end of the Norfolk. Despite hanging left in that Royal Ascot contest, the bay never looked like relinquishing his advantage and his drifting had become just a minor jink when in control of the Robert Papin. "He started off at five furlongs, then went to 5 1/2 furlongs for the Prix Robert Papin and today was his first try at six," Cox said. "Gerald Mosse told me the horse won by virtue of his class, but will be even better over further, so I was delighted to hear that appraisal. His next race will probably be over seven furlongs in the Dewhurst Stakes (Group 1 on October 13) at Newmarket. "We have have had a tremendous run of success over the last two weeks, including the win in Saturday's (Group 2 Hungerford with Lethal Force), so I am very happy for my owners and the whole team back at home." George Vancouver and Parliament Square, stablemates from the Aidan O'Brien yard, stayed on from off the pace to complete the trifecta. "I'm delighted with my two horses, although the winner looks a really nice horse," O'Brien said. "They probably still lack a bit of experience and are still a little babyish. They will probably want to go further in the future."
Allowed to bowl along again here by Moore, he traveled with enthusiasm and was well placed as the inevitable challenges came at the top of the straight in a finish typical of these French staying contests. Hanging tough out in front as Brigantin and Shahwardi attacked on either side, he hit the line strong as the field bunched in his wake. "He's so consistent and amazingly tough," trainer Marco Botti commented during a weekend when his stable's Jakkalberry had won the American St. Leger. "He's been everywhere around the world and still enjoys his racing. Ryan said he loves dictating the pace like that and every time they came he would pick up. He's got lots of options, but the trip to Melbourne is too far for him really so we might well take him back to Canada." Americain ran out of puff late on in sixth on his first start back for the Alain de Royer-Dupre stable, but his trainer is still set on returning to Flemington for a third run in the November 6 Group 1 Melbourne Cup in which he was fourth when defending his title 12 months ago. "I am very happy with that, as the race came two weeks too soon," he explained. "He came back to me late, with his winter coat so he needed more time to be ready and blew up. He'll be prepared for quarantine now." Bet Horseracing Free Online at TwinSpires.com
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