After Minding (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) had seemingly put the Epsom Oaks out of reach earlier on the card, this performance by Swiss Range in a race won by Taghrooda (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), Talent (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) at least gave some food for thought ahead of the middle-distance Classics. As a daughter of the G2 Ribblesdale S. winner Spanish Sun, she has the pedigree for those tests and has looked a dynamic force since a hood was fitted after her debut defeat when 1 1/2-lengths second to Tiptree (Ire) (Duke of Marmalade {Ire}) over seven furlongs here at the end of October. Successful by five lengths over a mile in the Craven meeting's opener last time Apr. 12, the imposing homebred was unsurprisingly unfazed by this rise in trip and was able to stamp some authority on affairs despite having over-raced for the first half mile. Held up towards the rear by Frankie Dettori, who had a task to keep her enthusiasm in check, the bay was sent up the inner after the rail cut-away with over two furlongs remaining. Seizing the lead approaching the furlong marker, she scampered away up the hill to emulate trainer John Gosden's last two winners Taghrooda and Jazzi Top (GB) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). While both of those fillies ended up at Epsom, Swiss Range could be going overseas instead. “She was very keen early on, but she showed a great turn of foot when the cut-away came,” Gosden said. “She is a nice filly and did it well off no pace, and I like the way she quickened. She's a big girl. She will have learnt a lot mentally and she's still not fully there in her coat. If anything I think she is a[G1] Prix de Diane filly, as I think a mile and a half might just stretch her. We could get another race in, or we could go for a racecourse gallop. I'm very happy with her and Chantilly [June 19] is probably the place to go. She's a scopey filly who is very willing and is learning.” Spanish Sun is a full-sister to the Spanish Moon, who took the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and was placed in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic and G1 Hong Kong Vase. Her extended family includes the G2 Grand Prix de Chantilly winner Daring Miss (GB) (Sadler's Wells) and she also has a 2-year-old colt by Bated Breath (GB) named Cool Climate (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
TWEENHILLS PRETTY POLLY S.-Listed, £40,000, NEW, 5-1, 3yo, f, 10fT, 2:05.40, gd.
1–#SWISS RANGE (GB), 126, f, 3, by Zamindar
1st Dam: Spanish Sun (GSW-Eng, $149,384), by El Prado (Ire)
2nd Dam: Shining Bright (GB), by Rainbow Quest
3rd Dam: Bourbon Girl, by Ile de Bourbon
O-Khalid Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms Ltd (GB); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £22,684. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, $43,054.
2–Chicadoro (GB), 126, f, 3, Paco Boy (Ire)–Going For Gold (GB), by Barathea (Ire). O-James Ortega Bloodstock Ltd. £8,600.
3–Even Song (Ire), 126, f, 3, Mastercraftsman (Ire)–Guantanamera (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. (€170,000 Wlg '13 GOFNOV). O-Susan Magnier. £4,304.
Margins: 3, 2 3/4, 3/4. Odds: 1.50, 16.00, 3.00.
Also Ran: First Victory (Ire), Tiptree (Ire), Peru (GB), Turning the Table (Ire), Australian Queen (GB), Rayaa (GB).
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
