Taking four runs to break her maiden, Volta achieved that over this trip at Saint-Cloud Mar. 24 before showing improvement to readily claim a first black-type success in the Listed Prix Volterra over this course and distance May 9 and returned in even better form to turn this competitive affair into a procession. Settled with two behind early by Pierre-Charles Boudot, the bay moved closer on the approach to the straight and only needed one invitation to slice between labouring rivals and take total control before the furlong pole. Quickly stamping her authority on affairs in a ruthless display, she left smart fillies like Besotted and Aim To Please floundering in her wake to suggest a step up in trip could suit. “This filly is getting better and better and what surprised me more than anything else today was how she relaxed before and during the race, whereas in the past she has shown a tendency to be keen,” trainer Francis-Henri Graffard explained. “She has obviously improved mentally as well as physically and her turn of foot is impressive. Before today, we thought we would be keeping her at a mile but if she is relaxed like that why not go further? I will discuss with the owners, but she is not in the [G1] Coronation S. and will not go to Royal Ascot and we could try the [G1 Prix de] Diane in two weeks. Equally, we have always managed her with time in between her races, so it remains to be seen how she comes out of this.” Volta's rise through the ranks is not a surprise, as she has the pedigree as a half-sister to the G3 Prix des Chenes and G3 Prix de Guiche winner Calvados Blues, who went on to be third in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic. Her dam is a full-sister to the GII Las Palmas H. winner Beautyandthebeast (GB) (Machiavellian) and a half to Neatico (Ger) (Medicean {GB}), who captured the G1 Grosser Dallmayr-Preis. Originally heavily Wildenstein-influenced, the family goes back to the G1 Prix Jacques le Marois winner Vin de France (Foolish Pleasure), the G2 Mill Reef S.-winning sire Vacarme and the highweight mares Verveine (Lear Fan)and Vetheuil (Riverman).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX DE SANDRINGHAM-G2, €130,000, CHY, 6-5, 3yo, f, 8fT, 1:39, sf.
1–@VOLTA (FR), 123, f, 3, by Siyouni (Fr)
1st Dam: Persian Belle (GB), by Machiavellian
2nd Dam: Nicola Bella (Ire), by Sadler's Wells
3rd Dam: Valley of Hope, by Riverman
O-Ecurie David Salabi, Thierry de la Heronniere & Cluny Conseil SARL; B-Thierry, Amaury & Mme Danille de la Heronniere (FR); T-Francis-Henri Graffard; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €74,100. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-1, €122,300. *1/2 to Calvados Blues (Fr) (Lando {Ger}), MGSW-Fr & G1SP-UAE, $919,671. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Besotted (Ire), 123, f, 3, Dutch Art (GB)–Tender is Thenight (Ire), by Barathea (Ire). O-Mme Anne-Marie Hayes; B-Knocktoran Stud (IRE); T-Philippe Sogorb. €28,600.
3–Aim to Please (Fr), 123, f, 3, Excellent Art (GB)–Midnight Flash (Ire), by Anabaa Blue (GB). O-Joerg Vasicek & Mulungu Bloodstock; B-Haras d'Ecouves (FR); T-Francois Doumen. €13,650.
Margins: 4, HD, 3/4. Odds: 2.00, 4.80, 30.50.
Also Ran: Rosay (Ire), Powder Snow, High Quality (Ire), Zayva (Fr), Prairie Pearl (Fr), Sasparella (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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