Earning the title of Europe's premier 3-year-old miling filly when successful in the G1 Coronation S., His Highness The Aga Khan's Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) takes to Deauville on Sunday to face up to her elders in the G1 Prix Rothschild. Unbeaten in three starts so far this term, the homebred showed dramatic late acceleration to conquer Longchamp's G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches May 10 before swooping on Found (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in the June 19 Royal Ascot feature. “She is progressing very well,” trainer Jean-Claude Rouget commented. “She is in very good form. All has gone well since Ascot. The ground looks like it will be good and that will be no problem for her, of course. I believe she is ready to take on the older horses.” One who could test her is Sir Robert Ogden's much-improved Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), as big an advert for the prowess of trainer David O'Meara as any after reviving old fortunes to annex the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot June 17 and G1 Falmouth S. at Newmarket July 10. She is re-opposed by Rizeena (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}), who was second in the former contest and also the Falmouth fourth and fifth Bawina (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Fintry (Ire) (Shamardal), respectively. “She's been fine since Newmarket and got there okay–all is good,” O'Meara said. “She's in good form and we're hoping for a good run.” Bawina represents the Wertheimers, who enjoyed success with their elite performer Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) every year from 2008 to 2011, and looks the hard-luck story of the Falmouth. Running for the first time since taking the G2 Prix du Muguet over this trip at Saint-Cloud at the start of May, the homebred ran out of room at a crucial stage at Newmarket and ended up being just over a length behind the winner.
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