18 June 2020
Photo Prix des Lilas: scoopdyga.com
Contested this year a week later than usual, since it generally takes place on the Prix du Jockey Club (Gr1) undercard, the Prix de Sandringham (Gr2), a mile race for 3-year-old fillies, remained a potential consolation/rematch of the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (French 1,000 Guineas, Gr1), which took place 18 days before instead of three full weeks earlier, and the unlucky 2nd-placed Speak of the Devil has long remained in the entries.
She was withdrawn, however, and only one runner of the classic will be at the start, namely Ellerslie Lace (Siyouni), a promising fifth in the Poule, just behind the favourite Tropbeau.
Now she's the best-rated filly in the race, although the latest editions of the Sandringham did not often consecrate a beaten Guineas contender and this 2020 edition is as open as usual, with the looming threat of the three first home in the Prix des Lilas (L), which was contested the day before the Poule d'Essai, also over one mile, but with a turn…
- 1. GOLDEN CROWN (f3, GB by Siyouni ex Forest Crown, by Royal Applause) Rating: 97lbs
A winner for her debut in November on the Deauville all-weather, she was beaten a short-neck by the well-regarded Simeen after leading her first race after the lockdown and was then beaten a length by Miss Extra in the Prix des Lilas (L).
She had been withdrawn from the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.
- 2. SECRET TIME (f3, GER by Camacho ex Song of Time, by Kheleyf) Rating: 97lbs
A maiden winner at second asking, then 2nd in the Prix d’Aumale (Gr3) between Savarin and Flighty Lady, Secret Time (Camacho) was well beaten in the Haras de Bouquetot-Critérium des ventes d’octobre Arqana ion soft ground. For her come back in the Prix des Lilas (L), however, she finished a promising 6th with a smooth ride. She had been withdrawn from the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.
- 3. PORCELAINE (f3, IRE by Kodiac ex Zut Alors, by Pivotal) Rating: 93lbs
A French 1,000 winner Précieuse's sister, Porcelaine (Kodiac) won for her debut over the mile on the Chantilly all-weather in February, then finished 4th on the same surface but over 6.5 furlongs in the Prix Montenica (L), fighting hard the whole way on that occasion. 8th for her come back and her first turf race over 6 furlongs in the Prix Texanita (Gr3), she was better over the mile in the Prix des Lilas (L), where she finished 3rd after leading. She had been withdrawn from the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.
- 4. MISS EXTRA (f3, FRA by Masterstroke ex Kestria, by Keltos) Rating: 99lbs
Miss Extra (Masterstroke) ran 4 times last season and always finished in the frame but just couldn't win over distances from 6.5 to 8 furlongs, finishing well. She won easily for her new trainer for her come back in a handicap and then more than confirmed by winning the Prix des Lilas (L), once again coming from the rear in full speed.
- 5. GALOVA (f3, FRA by Galiway ex Nicole, by Dashing Blade) Rating: 98lbs
She's one of the most seasoned in the race as this will be her 10th race. Galova (Galiway) ran 6 times last year, winning her maiden race at Lyon La Soie over all-weather in September over 9 furlongs. 3rd in the Critérium du Languedoc (L) at the end of the season, she confirmed this year with a 2nd place in the Prix La Camargo (L), and a 4th place in the Prix Vanteaux (Gr3) after the lockdown. She also finished 4th in the Prix Finlande (L) and comes back over the mile after two trials over 9 furlongs.
- 6. LIKE A CHARM (f3, FRA by Charm Spirit ex Shemdama, by Dr Fong) Rating: -
Third for her debut in August in the well-rated Arqana Prix des Marettes behind Savarin and subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner Dream and Do, she was moved to Frédéric Rossi's yard in the South and won for her come back at Marseille-Borély by three lengths.
- 7. ELLERSLIE LACE (f3, FRA by Siyouni ex Indiana Wells, by Sadler’s Wells) Rating: 101lbs
She is the only one in the lot who has not yet won. Bred by her owners, she missed her first race in September, but finished third thereafter, before taking second place in the Prix Herod (L) on heavy ground over 7 furlongs in November. For her return, in the Prix de la Grotte (Gr3), she finished well after having travelled in the rear and took fourth place, way behind the first three. The same scenario happened again in the French 1,000 Guineas, finishing 5th with a troubled trip coming back from the rear.