26 May 2019
Photo scoopdyga.com
Highly anticipated in the French 1,00 Guineas, which she had to miss after a lacklustre piece of work, 3yo filly Siyarafina (Pivotal) reassured her connections in her first challenge at the highest level, Sunday at ParisLongchamp in the Saxon Warrior Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary (Gr1) over 10 furlongs. She ran in sixth position and gradually moved closer to the leaders early in the last straight to take over in the last furlong and stay on to keep a surprising second Olendon (Le Havre) at one length while the front-running Imperial Charm (Dubawi), fourth in the French Guineas, finished third this time.
Trainer of the Aga Khan homebred filly, Alain de Royer Dupré said he was satisfied with her performance even though Siyarafina did not show off the way she did in her two previous wins. The test seems to have convinced her connections that she'll be able to cope with the French Oaks' 2,100m trip on June 16th.
Siyarafina's dam is a sister of the champion sire Siyouni (Pivotal). She won the Prix de Bagatelle (L), also finished third in a Prix Daniel Wildenstein (Gr2). A 2-year-old Invincible Spirit filly is also reported to be in training with Alain de Royer Dupré, and a colt by Golden Horn is to follow.