PRIX DE L’OPERA
LONGINES (GROUP 1)
SPEEDY Boarding has had the most amazing season in France where she added a second Group 1 race to her total by rallying inside the final furlong to just pip the Jim Bolger-trained Pleascach by a short-head in the Prix de l’Opera Longines, with the odd-on favourite So Mi Dar half a length away third.
Trained by James Fanshawe, Speedy Boarding has only won in France this year. In May, she took the Prix Corrida and then the Group 1 Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August.
Here Freddy Tylicki gave the daughter of Shamardal a perfect ride.
Asked for an effort two out, she led at the 300-metre marker and then conceded the lead to Pleascach inside the final furlong, only to take it back shortly before the line. The two were locked together in a fine finish with the English filly just winning the day. “What a wonderful filly and she’s raised her game again,” commented Fanshawe. “She’s tough, a battler and courageous and was given a great ride. We’ve had a terrific year with her particularly in France. I think she will now go to stud. The Fillies and Mares at Ascot comes a bit quick.”
Speedy Boarding runs in the famous Helen Springfield Ltd. colours and was bred at the Meon Valley Stud, which is now run by the founder’s son Mark Weinfeld.
It was a great performance by Godolphin’s Pleascach considering she had not been out since finishing fourth to Golden Horn in last year’s Qipco Irish Champion Stakes having previously beaten no other than the Arc winner Found in the Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas before winning the Darley Yorkshire Oaks.
A delighted Bolger said: “It was fantastic to see her run so well at this level after such a long lay off. She’s been working really well at home but I would have preferred a prep race before this Group 1. If she recovers well after this race, the filly could go to Ascot for the Fillies and Mares.”
So Mi Dar appeared to have every chance but just could not quicken at the finish. She is now destined to run in the Breeders’ Cup Fillies and Mares and is likely to remain in training next year.