Above The Curve Makes All For Prix Corrida Triumph, Nashwa Eclipsed In Fourth

Last term's G1 Prix Saint-Alary and G2 Blandford S. heroine Above The Curve (American Pharoah–Fabulous {Ire}, by Galileo {Ire}) encountered stellar opposition in Sunday's G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud and halted a three-race losing streak with a pillar-to-post victory in the 10 1/2-furlong contest.

Coolmore and Westerberg's 'TDN Rising Star' was undone by Saint-Alary runner-up Place Du Carrousel (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and the reopposing Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}) when third in October's G1 Prix de l'Opera before running seventh in both November's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf and this month's G2 Mooresbridge S. on seasonal return last time.

The eventual winner was swiftly into stride and held sway at a comfortable pace. In command throughout, the 47-10 chance was shaken up when threatened at the top of the straight and stayed on relentlessly under a drive inside the final quarter-mile to hit the line strong with a two-length buffer from Mqse De Sevigne (Ire) (Siyouni {Fr}). German raider India (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) kept on well to finish one length adrift third while 'TDN Risng Star' Nashwa, who held every chance turning for home, faded out of contention in the latter stages and finished another 1 1/4 lengths back in fourth.

“I am delighted to win this race for Joseph O'Brien and in these famous silks too,” said Maxime Guyon. “We used to ride together and know each other very well indeed. He said that she is a very straightforward filly with a huge action and to go on if nobody wanted the lead. She travelled beautifully and quickened well. She had the race in the bag quite early.”

Hollie Doyle, reflecting on a satisfactory return to action for G1 Prix de Diane and G1 Nassau S. heroine Nashwa, added, “She's a big, burly mare and I think she just got tired. She's grown a lot and has put on a lot of weight. She had a busy year last year and was coming back off her first proper break. She probably needed the run and I think she'll come on for it.”

Pedigree Notes
Above The Curve is the third of six reported foals and one of two scorers produced by an unraced sibling of eight black-type performers headed by MG1SW sire Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat). She is a full-sister to G3 Irish 1000 Guineas Trial and G3 Weld Park S. third Thinking Of You and her dam Fabulous (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was bred to Justify last year, has the unraced 3-year-old filly Deadly Nightshade (Justify) and a 2-year-old filly and yearling filly by Justify to come. Descendants of the April-foaled bay's MGSW second dam Mariah's Storm (Rahy), herself kin to G1SP sire Panoramic (GB) (Rainbow Quest), also include MG1SW sires Gleneagles (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Decorated Knight (GB) (Galileo {Ire}), Classic heroines Joan of Arc (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Marvellous (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), MG1SW distaffer Happily (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and elite-level performers Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Coolmore (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Taj Mahal (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Sunday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX CORRIDA-G2, €130,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-28, 4yo/up, f/m, 10 1/2fT, 2:14.17, gd.
1–ABOVE THE CURVE, 126, f, 4, by American Pharoah
1st Dam: Fabulous (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Mariah's Storm, by Rahy
3rd Dam: Immense, by Roberto
O-Susan Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Westerberg; B-Orpendale, Chelston & Wynatt (KY); T-Joseph O'Brien; J-Maxime Guyon. €74,100. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Fr, GSW-Ire & SP-Eng, 9-4-1-2, €444,496. *Full to Thinking of You, MGSP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Mqse De Sevigne (Ire), 126, f, 4, Siyouni (Fr)–Penne (Fr), by Sevres Rose (Ire). O-Baron Edouard de Rothschild; B-SC Ecurie de Meautry (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €28,600.
3–India (Ger), 126, m, 5, Adlerflug (Ger)–Ivory Coast (Fr), by Peintre Celebre. O-Gestut Ittlingen; B-Gestut Hof Ittlingen (GER); T-Waldemar Hickst. €13,650.
Margins: 2, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 4.70, 8.10, 4.10.
Also Ran: Nashwa (GB), Baiykara (Fr), Romagna Mia (GB). Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Lope de Vega’s Sweet Lady On Top in the Prix Corrida

Gemini Stud's Sweet Lady (Fr) (Lope de Vega {Ire}–High Heel Sneakers {GB}, by Dansili {GB}) posted a career high in October's G3 Prix de Flore at Saint-Cloud and lined up for Tuesday's G3 Prix Corrida back over the same 10 1/2-furlong distance at the Paris venue returning off a second in April's Listed Prix Lord Seymour at ParisLongchamp. The 5-2 second favourite adopted her usual patient tactics and was positioned off the tempo in fifth for the most part. Nudged along to close with 500 metres remaining, she quickened in smart fashion to launch her challenge entering the final furlong and was ridden out in the closing stages to assert superiority. Last term's Listed Prix La Camargo victrix and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches fourth hit the line with a half-length advantage from Burgarita (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

“She is a very smart filly who is much more mature than she was last season,” explained trainer Francis-Henri Graffard. “We did well to run her over one-and-a-half miles last time to teach her more about how to settle and the experience did her a lot of good. We also we made the right decision to pass on the G3 Prix d'Hedouville and wait for this race. If only because we avoided fast ground and hot temperatures. The softer it is, the better it is for her and we are convinced that the second half of the season will give her more opportunities.  She will be entered in the [G1] Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud here and the [G1 Prix] Jean Romanet at Deauville, but there will be no rush to run if conditions are not suitable. The [G1] Yorshire Oaks are also a possibility and of course she is entered in the [G1] Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. We will take the time we need to decide what is next and, for the time being, she has enriched her resume and we're delighted.”

Sweet Lady is the last reported foal produced by Listed River Eden S. victrix and G2 May Hill S. runner-up High Heel Sneakers (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who also produced Listed Oaks Trial winner Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}). Sweet Lady's third dam Charmie Carmie (Lyphard) is the dam of MG1SW Peruvian champion Faaz (Fappiano) and her descendants also include G1 SA Fillies' Classic heroine Zaitoon (SAf) (Count Dubois {GB}). Charmie Carmie is kin to MGISW American Fillies' Triple Crown heroine Chris Evert (Swoon's Son), whose own descendants are headed by Belmont S.-winning sire Chief's Crown (Danzig), GI Frizette S. and GI Gazelle S. heroine Classic Crown (Mr. Prospector) and MGISW dual GI Beldame S. victrix Sightseek (Distant View). Charmie Carmie is also kin to stakes-winning GI Delaware Oaks third All Rainbows (Bold Hour), herself the dam of GI Kentucky Derby heroine and MGISW US champion Winning Colors (Caro {Ire}).

Tuesday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX CORRIDA-G2, €130,000, Saint-Cloud, 5-24, 4yo/up, f/m, 10 1/2fT, 2:14.11, sf.
1–SWEET LADY (FR), 126, f, 4, by Lope de Vega (Ire)
1st Dam: High Heel Sneakers (GB) (SW & GSP-Eng, SW-US, GSP-Fr, SP-Ity, $212,137), by Dansili (GB)
2nd Dam: Sundae Girl, by Green Dancer
3rd Dam: Charmie Carmie, by Lyphard
(€100,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Gemini Stud; B-Stratford Place Stud (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Ioritz Mendizabal. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 11-5-2-0, €228,200. *1/2 to Toujours L'Amour (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), SW-Eng. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Burgarita (GB), 126, f, 4, Sea The Stars (Ire)–Angelita (Ire), by Alzao. (95,000gns Wlg '18 TATFOA). O-Ecurie Ama.Zingteam; B-Dayton Investments Ltd (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €28,650.
3–Amazing Grace (Ger), 126, f, 4, Protectionist (Ger)–Amabelle (Ger), by Danehill Dancer (Ire). O/B-Dr Christoph Berglar (GER); T-Waldemar Hickst. €13,650.
Margins: HF, 2, HF. Odds: 2.50, 1.50, 7.60.
Also Ran: Alaskasonne (Fr), Coeur Macen (Fr), Rumi (Fr). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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A Fascinating Clash in the Corrida

Wednesday's G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud sees two of France's leading older fillies and mares re-engage, with the 10 1/2-furlong staging post featuring a rematch between the G3 Prix Allez France one-two Ebaiyra (Distorted Humor) and Raabihah (Sea the Stars {Ire}). Just a neck separated The Aga Khan's homebred and the Shadwell contemporary in that ParisLongchamp encounter over a mile and a quarter May 2 and it could be close again with the winner showing surprising pace at a trip that was perhaps short of her best last term. Ebaiyra had been three lengths behind Raabihah when the pair finished sixth and fourth respectively in the G1 Prix de Diane over this trip at Chantilly in July and either side of that effort had won the 12-furlong G3 Prix de Royaumont there in June and Deauville's G2 Prix de Pomone over half a furlong further in August. Even tried over 14 furlongs when third in the G1 Prix de Royallieu on heavy ground at ParisLongchamp in October, the chestnut from one of her owner-breeder's stouter families could be a transformed character in 2021.

Raabihah, who was also successful in Deauville's 10-furlong G3 Prix de Psyche in August and second to Tarnawa (Ire) (Shamardal) in the G1 Prix Vermeille and fifth in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe over a mile and a half at ParisLongchamp, remains an exciting prospect at four for the Jean-Claude Rouget stable. They both have to contend with Masaaki Matsushima's impressive Listed Prix Dahlia winner Amarena (Fr) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), who showed how much she relishes this ground when winning that 10-furlong contest here in October and who is entitled to take a step forward for her return fifth in ParisLongchamp's Listed Prix Zarkava over this trip Apr. 11.

Click here for the group field.

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Audarya Return Delayed

Breeders' Cup winner Audarya (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) will skip an intended start in the G2 Prix Corrida in France on Wednesday and the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. a day later has also been mooted, according to trainer James Fanshawe.

“She's fine,” he said. “She was just a bit quiet at the weekend, and it's a long trip to France, so that's why we decided not to go. We decided to give her a bit more time. It's just looking at her–she was just not her usual bouncy self. So that's why we haven't gone this week. I was hoping to run her this week, and she's not far from a race.”

Races under consideration for the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf heroine include the G1 Prince Of Wales's S. at Royal Ascot in mid-June and the G1 Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh on June 27. The dark bay also struck in the G1 Prix Jean Romanet two starts prior to her Breeders' Cup heroics.

“The Prince of Wales's would be a tough question to ask her first time out,” added Fanshawe. “But I'm sure she'll tell us. There's the Pretty Polly 10 days later, so there are various options–we'll see how she is.”

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