Prix Cléopâtre : Etoile back on the winning trail
Photo scoopdyga.com
The Prix Cleopatre (Gr3), run over an extended mile and a quarter at Saint-Cloud on a very soft ground by six 3-year-old fillies, started for good in the last turn as the front-running Villa d'Amore (Mastercraftsman) began to turn the heat on. The Coolmore stud representative went towards the stands' side in the final straight, opening the way to Etoile (Siyouni), who outpaced the whole field soon enough and went on to score easily by almost two lengths. Villa d'Amore somehow came back into contention and held off Volskha (Le Havre), always spotted near the leaders. After her victorious debut, Shamiyla (Kingman) came by about two furlongs out but could not keep up. She finished 5th.
Winner of her first two races this winter in Cagnes, Etoile finished second to Platane over 9 furlongs in the Prix Vanteaux (Gr3) for her Paris debut and a first over more than 1,500m. She went on to the post though and was only beaten a neck, showing that she was still maybe a bit green. This time, there was no room left for any misinterpretation.
She is out of Milena's Dream (Authorized), winner at 2 in Deauville, from a full sister to Listed race winner Messœurs (Anabaa) who did not run. Jean-Claude Rouget bought the filly for € 160,000 at the Deauville yearling sales. before that, Milena's Dream gave a Holy Roman Emperor colt, now gelded, who was exported to Hong Kong after winning at Saint-Cloud. She has also given a 2-year-old by Olympic Glory in training with Sylvain Dehez and a Lethal Force yearling.
Etoile is entered in the Prix de Diane Longines (Gr1), in four weeks.