Ridden by Gérald Mossé, 55, Mangoustine ensured her start in this race which opposed 15 fillies over 1,600 meters in good ground.
Mangoustine, trained by Mikel Delzangles, has always galloped freely outside the peloton. She started her effort 500 meters from the goal and resisted well in the final strides to all the attacks, especially those of the host Cachet. Under the saddle of James Doyle, Cachet had to settle for an honorable 2nd place ahead of Times Square driven by Maxime Guyon, who came third.
“I have the satisfaction as if I had just won my first group 1 (the highest level)”, declared Gérald Mossé. “She made the difference. She responded present, she has a big big engine and wins as a champion,” he added. “It makes me happy to win for Mikel (Mikel Delzangles, editor’s note) and for Tony Parker who makes a lot of effort for the races!”
In the presentation round, former basketball champion Tony Parker was delighted “to have won one of the most beautiful French races” and “thanked the whole team”. “It’s amazing!” he said.
Mikel Delzangles estimated that Mangoustine had “gone to the end of her 1,600 meters and was tough in combat”. “I don’t think she will run the Prix de Diane,” he announced.
A little less than an hour after the coronation of the basketball legend’s filly, the Modern Games colt fulfilled his contract as favorite in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains by winning with authority in the last 100 meters after having always galloped in the leading group.
“He’s really easy and likes fast terrain. Why not run the Prix du Jockey-Club? said English jockey William Buick, who was defending the blue Godolphin shirt for trainer Charlie Appleby, 46, one of the best professionals of the world turf.
Source: AFP
