Burgeoning Promise

In a year when the fillies have reigned supreme at Ballydoyle, Promise To Be True (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is chosen to represent the all-powerful stable in Sunday's G1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud. Having captured the G3 Silver Flash S. over this trip at Leopardstown July 21, Susan Magnier's sister to the G1 Moyglare Stud S. winner Maybe (Ire) was only fifth as the even-money favourite behind Intricately (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and her subsequent G1 Fillies Mile-winning stablemate Rhododendron (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in that same Curragh feature Sept. 11 before finishing runner-up in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly Oct. 2. Godolphin's Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}) has proved an admirably consistent juvenile for the operation in 2016, finishing runner-up in the G2 Vintage S. at Goodwood July 26 and in the G2 Champagne S. at Doncaster Sept. 10 before filling fourth spot in the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket Oct. 8. Finishing 2 1/4 lengths behind Thunder Snow when sixth in the Dewhurst was South Seas (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), who had previously beaten the subsequent G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up Salouen (Ire) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) in the G3 Solario S. on easier ground at Sandown Aug. 20. “He ran a little bit below expectations in the Dewhurst, but has come out of the race well,” trainer Andrew Balding said. “It is going to be slow ground in France and we know he handles that and the track will be more suitable for him. He lost his balance going into the dip at Newmarket, but it was the strongest two-year-old race of the year and he just fell short. There is always a question mark about running them quick in another group one, but it didn't do Rivet any harm in the Racing Post Trophy.” Qatar Racing's chestnut remains unexposed and boosts a strong overseas contingent taking on the French, the best of which may be the Sept. 4 G3 Prix la Rochette runner-up and Oct. 5 G3 Prix Thomas Bryon winner Mate Story (Ire) (Makfi {GB}).