Horse Antepost
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Exciting two-year-old filly prospects have been thin on the ground so far this season, with only Memory setting the pulse racing with the exceptional turn of foot she displayed in both the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket. Another excellent prospect, who appeals as a possible long-range Guineas filly, is Criquette Head-Maarek's filly Helleborine.
She has won both her starts: on debut she was very green but still won the 6f Prix Mary Tudor at Maisons-Laffitte by three parts of a length from the highly regarded Pontenuovo, the pair 5 lengths clear of the rest of the field. Pontenuovo was a comfortable winner of the Gr.3 Prix de Cabourg next time out, to give the form a huge boost. On her second start Helleborine won the Listed Prix Six Perfections over 7f at Deauville (a new race in the French racing calendar), coming from a long way back to win impressively by 2½ lengths (check out the replay on Equidia). To quote one commentator, she "passed the whole field at such speed that it seemed as if her rivals were going backwards". One shouldn't get too over-excited by that performance, as her rivals included Godolphin’s Zabeel Park (a half-sister to Finsceal Beo who had won her maiden at Pontefract last time out), who looks useful but nothing special, and Dennis Coakley’s filly Fanny May (5th to Zaidan in the Chesham Stakes last time out), and the winning time was nothing special either. But one could hardly fail to be impressed by her remarkable burst of acceleration. It's one thing to do that in maiden company, but quite another to do it against previous winners.
Helleborine is by Observatory (Gr.1 winner over 8-9f) out of New Orchid (10f winner, Group-placed over 12f), which makes her a full sister to the top class African Rose (winner of the Gr.1 Sprint Cup and runner-up in the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest) and a half-sister to dual 10f winner Cultivar. African Rose was best over 6-7f but was bred to get a mile and was twice placed over a mile as a juvenile (on both occasions in Gr.3 company). On breeding and style of racing Helleborine should certainly stay a mile. She is reportedly much more relaxed than her sister and can make the running (as she did on her debut) or come from behind (as she did so brilliantly at Deauville). To quote Criquette Head-Maarek, Helleborine has "an amazing turn of foot" and is highly regarded ("she is remarkable and I like her a lot"). She is still quite green and can only improve (her full sister African Rose was best at three).
Helleborine is one of three Criquette Head-Maarek-trained fillies entered for the Cheveley Park Stakes, the other two being the unraced Exemplify (a full sister to Special Duty) and Starformer (a daughter of Etoile Montante, whom Head-Maarek trained to win the Gr.1 Prix de la Foret). All three are owned by Khalid Abdullah. Exemplify is reportedly showing more stamina than Special Duty at this stage of her career, so will probably start off over 7f or a mile and is unlikely to take up her entry in the Cheveley Park. Starformer is also likely to want 7f or a mile. I'm not predicting whether Helleborine will turn out to be the best of the three, but she sets quite a high standard and appeals as a big-price alternative to Memory for the 1000 Guineas. I have taken 33s and 25s, but the latter price should still be available if you shop around.
She has won both her starts: on debut she was very green but still won the 6f Prix Mary Tudor at Maisons-Laffitte by three parts of a length from the highly regarded Pontenuovo, the pair 5 lengths clear of the rest of the field. Pontenuovo was a comfortable winner of the Gr.3 Prix de Cabourg next time out, to give the form a huge boost. On her second start Helleborine won the Listed Prix Six Perfections over 7f at Deauville (a new race in the French racing calendar), coming from a long way back to win impressively by 2½ lengths (check out the replay on Equidia). To quote one commentator, she "passed the whole field at such speed that it seemed as if her rivals were going backwards". One shouldn't get too over-excited by that performance, as her rivals included Godolphin’s Zabeel Park (a half-sister to Finsceal Beo who had won her maiden at Pontefract last time out), who looks useful but nothing special, and Dennis Coakley’s filly Fanny May (5th to Zaidan in the Chesham Stakes last time out), and the winning time was nothing special either. But one could hardly fail to be impressed by her remarkable burst of acceleration. It's one thing to do that in maiden company, but quite another to do it against previous winners.
Helleborine is by Observatory (Gr.1 winner over 8-9f) out of New Orchid (10f winner, Group-placed over 12f), which makes her a full sister to the top class African Rose (winner of the Gr.1 Sprint Cup and runner-up in the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest) and a half-sister to dual 10f winner Cultivar. African Rose was best over 6-7f but was bred to get a mile and was twice placed over a mile as a juvenile (on both occasions in Gr.3 company). On breeding and style of racing Helleborine should certainly stay a mile. She is reportedly much more relaxed than her sister and can make the running (as she did on her debut) or come from behind (as she did so brilliantly at Deauville). To quote Criquette Head-Maarek, Helleborine has "an amazing turn of foot" and is highly regarded ("she is remarkable and I like her a lot"). She is still quite green and can only improve (her full sister African Rose was best at three).
Helleborine is one of three Criquette Head-Maarek-trained fillies entered for the Cheveley Park Stakes, the other two being the unraced Exemplify (a full sister to Special Duty) and Starformer (a daughter of Etoile Montante, whom Head-Maarek trained to win the Gr.1 Prix de la Foret). All three are owned by Khalid Abdullah. Exemplify is reportedly showing more stamina than Special Duty at this stage of her career, so will probably start off over 7f or a mile and is unlikely to take up her entry in the Cheveley Park. Starformer is also likely to want 7f or a mile. I'm not predicting whether Helleborine will turn out to be the best of the three, but she sets quite a high standard and appeals as a big-price alternative to Memory for the 1000 Guineas. I have taken 33s and 25s, but the latter price should still be available if you shop around.
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Cheers James, am only a small stakes backer on the flat, but having followed your special duty thread throughout last summer without acting on it, i can't allow myself to disregard your views again. Fingers crossed for a repeat.
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Good luck James! Another excellent thread.
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Thank you
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Watched videos of both her runs. Quickened impressively at Deauville and as you say James she was still green.I have backed her for 1000. Hope she goes for Cheveley Park.Thanks again.
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James, I'm not going to miss out this time!
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Count me in as well at 25/1 (I am confident James will keep a close eye on the other 2 for us just in case
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Helleborine's stablemate Exemplify (full sister to Special Duty) has been entered for the Prix des Marettes over a mile at Deauville on 10 August. It's the same race in which Proportional made her debut for the same connections in 2008 (finishing 4th behind Copperbeech). The race has a great recent track record in producing classy performers: the last five winners have been Zagora (dual Gr.3 winner, rated 108), Copperbeech (Gr.1 placed, rated 105), Alnadana (Gr.1 placed in America, rated 112), Coquerelle (Gr.1 winner, rated 113) and Sanaya (Gr.1 placed, rated 114). Fillies that have been beaten in this race on debut include Anna Salai (Gr.1 placed, rated 110), Proportional (Gr.1 winner, rated 112), Gagnoa (Gr.1 placed, rated 115) and Modern Look (Gr.2 winner, rated 114). Previous winners of the race include Gr.1 winners Cerulean Sky and Miss Tahiti. Other noteworthy entries this year (apart from Exemplify) include the Aga Khan's Visinada (by Sinndar out of Prix de Diane 3rd Visionnaire) and J-C Rouget's Galaxie Sud (by El Prado out of Prix de Diane runner-up Germance). If Exemplify manages to win on Tuesday she will surely be aimed at the Prix Marcel Boussac.
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Humongous dosh for this (Helle) today and as low at 16/1 with Smokin Joe's. Pathetic when you think about it. Shame on them.
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I did the rounds in the hour following the race and 25-1 was the biggest price quoted by the five firms i requested quotes from. That was my cut-off price. Those taking 20-1 and 16-1 in August are taking false prices as 28-1 or 33-1 could well be available later in the season.
Special Duty was 25-1 after winning a Group 2, while Helleborine has only won a Listed contest. Criquette Head-Maarek's record suggests Helleborine will need to win the Cheveley Park to line up at Newmarket next May. I backed Special Duty last season around this time at 25-1, but taking 3-1 for the Cheveley Park and reinvesting at 7-1 for the Guineas after the win resulted in a price of 31-1. |
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The only thing that concerns me about this is the trainer record.
Would I be right in saying Criqutte has won the Chevely 4 times and each of those won the English guineas ? This Hellobrine would be looking to make it 5/5 and it is very hard to achieve figures like that. Basically, can lightening strike 5 times ?!? |
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^Surely what that stat says is that Madam Head knows when she has a good one (which can't be said about many trainers!!)and if she does go for the Cheverley Park the hint should be taken.
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From memory, I think Criquette has won the Cheveley Park four times and three of those winners have gone on to win the 1000 Guineas (the one who failed was Pas De Reponse). Her other 1000 Guineas winner (Hatoof) contested the Prix Marcel Boussac, which is a possible alternative target for Helleborine.
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I completley agree Uncle.
Just playing devils advocate  . The trainer obviously has an exceptional record in the race and knows exactly what it takes and it will bode well for this horse. It's just hard to achieve perfect figures like these, that's all im saying really, not much logic or science to it, more instinctive. |
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I imagined this might be on your radar James :)
Will be interesting to follow her and also Exemplify who's bred to be a more a 3 year old than Special Duty. |
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Correction: sorry, I've no idea why I have twice referred to Exemplify as a full sister to Special Duty, she is of course a half-sister to Special Duty. (Exemplify is by Dansili, Special Duty is by Hennessy.) Exemplify is nowhere near as speedy as Special Duty and will not be running in the Cheveley Park Stakes: she makes her debut on Tuesday next week over a mile.
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Over further I think that Pontenuovo would reverse placings. Gr 1 dam and out of Green Tune, already asking for 7f, and would fancy her to go over the mile trip at Prix Marcel Boussac rather than Cheveley Park Stakes.
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You may well be proved right about Pontenuovo, who is undoubtedly a smart filly. Yves de Nicolay holds her in the highest regard and is reported to have said "I knew that Pontenuovo was an extraordinary horse the moment she arrived in the yard". She is a very good looking filly and has a lot in common with her dam Porlezza (whom Yves de Nicolay trained to win the Gr.1 Prix Maurice de Gheest). Porlezza was speedily bred (by the sprinter Sicyos) and was very effective over sprint distances (never raced beyond 6½f). Pontenuovo's half-sister Ponte Di Legno, despite being by stamina influence Sinndar, was a 6f winner and was placed several times at around a mile. So Pontenuovo has quite a speedy pedigree on the dam's side of the family. Her sire Green Tune has only ever produced one Group 1 winner (to my knowledge), a filly called Lune D'Or, who won a Group 1 in Italy. Green Tune was a miler and is arguably less of a stamina influence than Sinndar (the sire of Ponte Di Legno), so it's debatable whether Pontenuovo will get a mile. In any case, there is no particular reason for believing that Helleborine (who was very green on her debut) won't improve at least as much as Pontenuovo from their debut running. Helleborine already stays 7f really well and will certainly get a mile. Pontenuovo is perhaps not so certain to stay a mile. It will be interesting to see where Yves de Nicolay decides to take her.
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Both Porlezza and Pontenuovo have race in the Prix De Cabourg, with the latter winning. Porlezza was dropped back in trip, but connections will no doubt step Pontenuovo up next time out. Whether a Guineas hop she is, we shall wait and see.
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The key point from a betting perspective is that Ms Head has a proven track record of bringing them over for the Guineas. Even if Pontenuovo was declared a probable runner at some time in the future the absence of the "Head" factor should ensure that she is over-priced like so many raiders.
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they found a reason for Special Duty's poor run in the Falmouth,btw. They think she pulled muscles in her hip as she left the stalls.
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A satisfactory debut from Special Duty's half-sister Exemplify this afternoon at Deauville. She won the Prix des Marettes for unraced fillies over a mile, pushed out hands and heels to score by three parts of a length. She was well fancied and was sent off at a shade of odds-on on the PMU. She made most of the running, the runner-up Nosail briefly pulled alongside inside the last 150m, but Stephane Pasquier simply kept his filly up to her work, pushed out firmly to score quite comfortably. Galaxie Sud finished well for third. On that performance, in what is traditionally a very strong maiden, it's likely that Exemplify will prove to be a smart filly. At this stage she looks as though she already wants further than a mile, so I would imagine that if she's going to win any classics next season the Prix de Diane looks the likeliest target (rather than the English or French Guineas), but her next couple of starts will tell us a lot more. I expect she'll now be aimed at the Prix Marcel Boussac (unless that's the intended target for Helleborine).
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Feedback from Criquette Head-Maarek on today's winner Exemplify:
"She is a very good filly. Normally we wait with her at home but Stephane [Pasquier] let her go on as he didn't want to upset her. Although this race was over a mile I have entered her in the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket, as she has plenty of speed. I have no firm plans for her at the moment, but if all goes well, we will also have a look at a race like the Prix Marcel Boussac." For what it's worth, I think it's very unlikely that they would want to drop her back two furlongs in trip for the Cheveley Park. The Prix Marcel Boussac must be a much likelier target. I must say, she didn't strike me as a filly with 'plenty of speed', but who am I to argue with the trainer herself? She clearly thinks that Exemplify has more than enough speed to develop (potentially) into a Guineas or (more likely) French Guineas filly. |
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Thanks James, sounds like an interesting one over the course of the year and hopefully beyond.
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absolute fantastic read again for the Guineas James, reading between the lines, as far as Exemplify goes, it has started out over 8f as a 2yo, which appears to be not good for a Guineas type, it also beat [ by my way of thinking] well bred middle distance types having their first races, so taking in to account your past recommendations, Exemplify is more of a 10f-12f type. keep on giving your thoughts, it gives us rookies some facinating reading, as guys like myself would probably not hear of horses like these until they were near enough favs. cheers and good luck.
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Sounds like she could be taking the same route as Rosanara.
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On the other hand, as noted above,the same connections introduced the stoutly-bred Proportional in the same race a couple of years ago and she, as we know, was a leading fancy for the 1000 Guineas following her win in the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac until she disappointed on her three-year-old reappearance. Reading Criquette's comments above, I get the feeling that she thinks that Exemplify has enough speed to develop into a Guineas type filly, though I personally favour Helleborine over Exemplify at this stage.
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Update on Helleborine's stablemate Exemplify: she has been entered for the Group 3 Prix la Rochette (Longchamp, 5 September) against the colts.
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Disappointing performance by Militante (3rd to Helleborine last time) in this afternoon's G3. Prix du Calvados. She finished last of six behind Mambia, beaten a total of nine lengths. In her defence she had to race quite wide towards the middle of the track, whereas the winner and runner-up possibly raced on the best of the ground near the stands' rail. But she had to be scrubbed along from some way out in a fast-run race (the winning time was 1m 24.00s) and it was a disappointing effort which has done nothing to enhance Helleborine's form. No news yet on Helleborine's next race, but she remains an exciting prospect.
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It was good to see Pontenuovo run well in the Prix Morny today (third behind two smart colts), as it helped boost the form of Helleborine (who beat Pontenuovo when they made their debuts in the Prix Mary Tudor). Pontenuovo has clearly improved considerably since her debut, however, and it's quite possible that she would beat Helleborine if they were to meet again (over 6f, at any rate).
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I'd agree about her improvement. Travelled really well today I thought.
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More big races entries for Helleborine and Exemplify: both were already entered for the Gr.1 Cheveley Park Stakes and Exemplify had also been entered for the Gr.3 Prix la Rochette (5 Sept). Both fillies have just been entered for the Gr.3 Prix d'Aumale (9 Sept), the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac (3 Oct) and the Gr.1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere (3 Oct). The Lagardere entries are of particular interest and significance, as they indicate that Criquette Head-Maarek is prepared to take on the colts at Group 1 level. Exemplify has been a significant mover in the 1000 Guineas market, down to 14/1 with some firms, and as short as 12/1, but 16/1 should still be available in places. I'm keeping an open mind as to which of the pair will turn out to be the better filly.
The other filly from the stable that has been entered for the Cheveley Park Stakes (Starformer) seems to have fallen by the wayside: she has no other entries at present. |
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Exemplify has been taken out of the Prix la Rochette at this morning's forfeit stage. The next clue to future running plans for Helleborine and Exemplify will be on Saturday (forfeit stage for the Prix d'Aumale).
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Plans for this pair of fillies look a bit clearer now. The more experienced of the pair, Helleborine, has been left in the Gr.3 Prix d'Aumale at Longchamp over a mile (9 Sept) at this morning's forfeit stage, while Exemplify has been taken out of the Prix d'Aumale and has been entered instead for the Prix de la Masseliere (9 Sept, over the same course and distance). It looks at this stage as though one or other (or both) could be heading for the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend. Both are also entered for the Gr.1 Cheveley Park Stakes and the Gr.1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. My guess is that one of them will probably run in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Owner Khalid Abdullah is not averse to running his better fillies against the colts: his filly Intercontinental (later a dual Grade 1 winner in America) finished third in the Lagardere a few years ago (beaten only a length).
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Final decs are through for Thursday's races at Longchamp.
In the Gr.3 Prix d'Aumale (13.40) Helleborine faces just three rivals: Split Trois (Yves De Nicolay), Nitza (stablemate of Helleborine) and Immortal Verse (Robert Collet). It's likely to be a tactical affair, of course, and it will all come down to which filly can quicken best off a likely slow early pace. Split Trois finished last of six in the Gr.2 Prix Robert Papin on her second start before finishing runner-up to the useful Hung Parliament in the Listed Prix Francois Boutin over 7f last time. Nitza is not necessarily in as a pacemaker for Helleborine, she's in different ownership and is a fairly useful filly in her own right, having won the Prix du Mezeray at Deauville on her second start before finishing fourth in a Listed race last time. The big danger to Helleborine, in my opinion, is Immortal Verse, a well regarded and very well bred filly who won the Prix d'Ommeel (a conditions race over 6½f at Deauville) first time out, showing class and talent, despite signs of greenness, to beat previous winners in quite impressive fashion. Half an hour later in the Prix de la Masseliere (14.10), over the same course and distance as the Prix d'Aumale, Exemplify faces five rivals: Passei, Gorgeous Sixty, Putyball, Regency Romance, Victorinna. Passei has run nine times and is nothing special. Gorgeous Sixty won narrowly at Clairefontaine last time, but the form looks very ordinary. Putyball was second at Deauville on her recent debut and holds a Prix Marcel Boussac entry, but the form is hard to assess (it was a maiden for unraced fillies). Regency Romance (trained by Andre Fabre) is an unraced daughter of Diktat and Criquette (who won the Listed Radley Stakes by 5 lengths as a juvenile and later won over 9f at Nad Al Sheba), which makes her a half-sister to Ribblesdale winner Flying Cloud (also runner-up in this year's Gr.1 Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh). Victorinna (C.Laffon-Parias) is an unraced daughter of first season sire Gentlewave and holds no fancy entries. Regency Romance is obviously an interesting newcomer, but Exemplify should win this impressively if she is to justify her current odds for the 1000 Guineas. The result of these two races will determine which (if either) of Criquette Head-Maarek's fillies will go for the Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac. |
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Nice reading James
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An impressive 5 lengths win for Helleborine in this afternoon's Prix d'Aumale, with the well regarded and previously unbeaten Immortal Verse second, ahead of Nitza and Split Trois (both of whom had achieved a Racing Post Rating in the 90's last time out). I've not seen the replay yet or heard any post-race comments, but I assume that the winner will now go for the Prix Marcel Boussac. She's down to 8/1 joint favourite for the Guineas with one major firm.
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James, I have a feeling the winner of the race before is one to follow ;)
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James, her form is beginning to stack up, particularly with Ponteneuove placing in the Papin, but for a horse that has not been seen out of France yet I think 8/1 is a ridiculous price. Even Special Duty was available at 8/1 after winning the Cheveley Park.
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She doesn't look a usual type for the Guineas to me, not quite pacey enough perhaps?
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