Shareta: defeat attributed to heavy ground and unsuitable distance
PICTURE: Masakazu TakahashiArc second Shareta only third on seasonal return
Report: France, Monday
Chantilly: Prix Allez France (Group 3) 1m2f, 4yo+, fillies and mares
ARC runner-up Shareta could manage only third on her seasonal debut behind the Mikel Delzangles-trained Aquamarine.
However, it was a highly encouraging start to her four-year-old career as she had to cope with very testing ground over a distance short of her best, as well as having to concede 7lb to the winner.
Ridden by Thomas Huet, the winner ran on in the final stages to beat Hava Landa by three-quarters of a length with Shareta just a head away third.
Christophe Lemaire did not muck about on Shareta, who was asked to set a sensible pace from the start. She kept up the gallop until the final furlong until she was swamped by Aquamarine.
Winning trainer Delzangles said: "Everything was in her favour today and I was very pleased with the filly. She will now head for the Prix Corrida."
Huet added: "It was nice to ride such a good filly and kind of Monsieur Delzangles to have confidence in me."
Shareta's trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre said: "I was really happy with her. The distance was a bit short and the heavy ground against her.
"She will go further next time and possibly run in England. I will be looking at the programme and analternative could be the Corrida and the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The filly needs good or firmer going to show her best."
