Goldikova gave Freddy Head the win of his guidance job at Deauville on Sunday. As she both Darjina and Natagora in the $395,000 Prix Rothschild, the premier Group 1 mile for fillies and mares in Europe.

The 61-year-old trainer, fellow of trainer Criquette Head-Maarek and son of breeder/owner Alec Head is renowned in America for his twin Breeders’ Cup Mile triumphs aboard Miesque. He was scoring his third Group 1 victory of the year, Marchand d’Or in the July Cup and Tamayuz in the Prix Jean Prat having preceded Goldikova, who tracked Natagora’s early pace before leading under Olivier Peslier at the three-sixteenths pole. The 2.60-1 champ withstood the late test of Darjina by a half-duration, with Natagora third, two lengths auxiliary back and British raider Nahoodh twenty-five percent, beaten 5 1/2 after trailed early. The time for the forthright mile on soft broken up that had been drying out all after lunch was 1:37.50.

Goldikova, Darjina and Natagora are all expected to meet all over again in the one-mile Prix du Moulin de Longchamp on Sept. 7.

By the Danzig stallion Anabaa, himself the champion of the six-furlong, Group 1 July Cup, Goldikova was engaging a race that her trainer had won six times as a condition. The filly, owned by Wertheimer & Frere, was also a huge compliment to Zarkava, who had beaten her authoritatively in both the French 1000 Guineas and the French Oaks.

Goldokova had from losses with a Group 3 mile calculation in the Prix Chloe on July 6, and must now be considered one of Europe’s leading milers. In victory she was forcing Darjina into her fourth Group 1 competitor-up spot this year while handing Natagora, the 1000 Guineas leader, a unquestionable downfall.

Posted on August 5th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Horse Racing news