racing_news/

Sahpresa Supreme in Sun Chariot Stakes
24/09/11

1 Sahpresa 13/8F
2 Chachamaidee 9/1
3 Strawberrydaiquiri 20/1
8 ran Distances: 1l, ¾l, 1¾l
TIME 1m 37.60s (slow by 2.10s)

The brilliant French-trained mare Sahpresa took the Group One Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes for a third consecutive year.

Sahpresa
© Racehorse Photos

Christophe Lemaire cruised to the lead in the 10-furlong contest and was never pushed to hold off the challenge of the fast-finishing Chachamaidee, who went down by a length.

Winning trainer Rod Collet said: “Well done to Sahpresa, not to me, and it’s a great pleasure. It’s also a sad occasion because his breeder and former owner Douglas McIntyre died a few days ago at the age of 92. He was one of the first owners at my stables and this filly was the dream of his life and she has been a dream of my life.

“Two years ago, she arrived here for the first time as the outsider - nobody was looking for us and the speed was very good, which was great for her. Last year, we were only third or fourth favourite in this race, whereas it was the first time she started favourite in England when she came to Newmarket for the Falmouth Stakes in July. I joke that we came to England to have an English pace and we ended up with a French race in England - I had never seen it before in my life.

“We learnt from the Falmouth Stakes, which was a joke race, and so we changed our strategy a little bit. When you are favourite, sometimes you should change.

“Newmarket is a great place for me, we were here earlier in the year when Nova Hawk came fourth in the Guineas.

“Sahpresa will now go for the Grade One Mile Championship at Kyoto in Japan on November 20 and she will also have an entry in the Hong Kong International Mile. I’ve no idea whether she will stay in training next year, it is something we must talk about with the owner.”

Jockey Christophe Lemaire added: “It was very easy today. She took the lead very easily - we were in front a little bit too soon but there was a little margin for us over the others.

“We know that she is a strong finisher so we wanted to be covered in the early part of the race and find a nice leader. She relaxed well, even if the pace was slow, and, when I put her out and asked to go at the two-furlong marker, she accelerated very well. I didn’t want to take the lead too soon because she can stop in front but I think she had some margin to spare over the others today.

“She proved today that she is a true Group One mare and she has something special, like the really good ones.”

Position	Horse Trainer	Jockey Weight	Starting Price Beaten Distance
1	Sahpresa Rod Collet	C P Lemaire 9st 3lbs	13 - 8 Winner
2	Chachamaidee Sir H R A Cecil	I Mongan 9st 3lbs	9 - 1 1 length
3	Strawberrydaiquiri B J Meehan	Martin Dwyer 9st 3lbs	20 - 1 3/4 length
4	I'm A Dreamer D M Simcock	William Buick 9st 3lbs	14 - 1 1 3/4 length
5	Music Show M R Channon	R Hughes 9st 3lbs	16 - 1 Nose
6	Alanza J M Oxx	J P Murtagh 8st 13lbs	4 - 1 1/2 length
7	Together A P O'Brien	C O'Donoghue 8st 13lbs	8 - 1 Neck
8	Timepiece Sir H R A Cecil	T P Queally 9st 3lbs	6 - 1 1 3/4 length

CAREER BEST FOR CHACHAMAIDEE

Sir Henry Cecil described the performance of Chachamaidee as a “career best” after the filly finished second to Sahpresa in the Kingdom Of Bahrain Sun Chariot Stakes.

Ian Mongan’s mount ran on strongly to the line to finish a length behind the 13/8 favourite, while stablemate Timepiece finished last of the eight runners.

Cecil said of the runner-up: “She has ran very well and I am pleased with her.

“The pace was very slow early which would not have suited but she has stayed on well to the line and the winner is a very good horse.

“All being well we will bring her back here for the Challenge Stakes over seven furlongs in two weeks’ time.

“I would say that was a career best from her, but the ground was just too quick for Timepiece.”