€135,000 Magne 3yo Fillies Hurdle (Gr3): La Spezia overcomes long odds

Friday, October 20, 2023, Auteuil Racecourse (Paris). - Fourth in the Chambly 3yo Fillies Hurdle (Gr3) in her first attempt at this level, La Spezia (Cokoriko) contested her sixth race in the €135,000 Magne 3yo Fillies Hurdle (Gr3), where the favourite was Sissi du Mesnil (Kapgarde), second in the "Chambly."

Undoubtedly, this experience helped filly homebred by famous chef Manuel Martinez, gradually closing in to complete a decisive assault between the last two hurdles. She cleared the final obstacle quickly, putting herself out of reach of her rival Funny Berry (Bathyrhon) in the run-in. She ultimately beat her best rival by seven lengths, while La Pinsonnière (Beaumec de Houelle) rallied for second place, falling short by just a head.

La Spezia is the first foal - and the only starter to date - out of La Islaminima (Gentlewave), who also raced for Manuel Martinez and won only one race over hurdles at Compiègne. The mare's fourth foal, a weanling now, goes up for sale in November at Arqana.