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Natagora strikes a blow for France in Guineas Stefan Friborg's NATAGORA (Divine Light) struck the front early on in Sunday's One Thousand Guineas (Eng-G1) and bravely hurled back a two-pronged challenge from Cheveley Park colorbearers, becoming the first French-trained winner of the Newmarket fillies' classic since Hatoof in 1992. Last year's European champion juvenile filly, the Pascal Bary pupil now sports a sterling mark of 9-7-2-0. Natagora, the 11-4 favorite, was prominent from the outset beneath Christophe Lemaire. For approximately the first quarter-mile, the Gallic gray prompted the pace of Francesca D'Gorgio (Proud Citizen), and then took control of affairs herself, with Muthabara (Red Ransom) in the role of principal stalker. Natagora smoothly showed the way until the two-furlong marker, when Cheveley Park Stud's Infallible (Pivotal) produced her challenge. The French filly had plenty up her sleeve, however, and successfully parried the thrust of Infallible. Meanwhile, Nahoodh (Clodovil) tried to rally up the stands' side rail. With Natagora firmly holding her ground, Nahoodh altered course and lurched for a small seam between Natagora and Infallible. The crevice just as quickly closed on her, and the luckless Nahoodh was forced to take up. Natagora had not a moment's rest as the next Cheveley Park hope, Spacious (Nayef), made an eye-catching bid from farther back in the pack. Although Spacious was finishing with a flourish, Natagora kept on gamely to prevail by a half-length. The winner negotiated the good-to-firm Rowley Mile in 1:38 4/5. Spacious had a half-length to spare over the late-running Saoirse Abu (Mr. Greeley), who was closely followed by Infallible and Nahoodh. Godolphin's representative, Laureldean Gale (Grand Slam), reported home 13th. Natagora had already boasted a prestigious score at Newmarket, having captured the six-furlong Cheveley Park S. (Eng-G1) last fall. Her other juvenile successes included the Prix Robert Papin (Fr-G2), Prix Du Bois (Fr-G3) and Prix La Fleche, and she was also runner-up to Myboycharlie (Danetime) in the Prix Morny (Fr-G1). In her seasonal reappearance, Natagora was a cozy winner of the Prix Imprudence. Bred in France by Bertrand Gouin and Georges Duca, Natagora was purchased for $37,563 as a yearling at Deauville October. She is out of the winning Linamix mare Reinamixa and has a juvenile half-sister named Baila Morena (Agnes Kamikaze). This is the family of Resless Kara (Akarad), queen of the 1988 Prix de Diane (Fr-G1).
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