Goldikova (left) is pushed out to beat Byword in the Prix d'Ispahan

  PICTURE: Scoop Dyga  

Goldikova excels in Prix D'Ispahan stroll

Report: France, Sunday

Longchamp: Prix d'Ispahan (Group 1) 1m1f, 3yo+

DUAL Breeders' Cup Mile winner Goldikova produced an impressive display when setting a new race record the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan at Longchamp on Sunday.

The Freddie Head-trained mare, who was recording her eighth success at the highest level, quickened in her customary style under a brilliant Olivier Peslier ride.

The 1m1f trip of theIspahan may have stretched her stamina as Byword reduced the winning distance to half a length on the line.

Germany Derby winner Wiener Walzer was ten lengths back in third, while Stacelita, who won three Group 1 races last year, camefourth after racing towards the rear.

Head, who won the Ispahan four times as a jockey, said: "She's a filly that has everything and is out of the ordinary. That she's broken the race record in the process is amazing.

Freddie Head: Royal Ascot target

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

"Her next race will be the Queen Anne and then the same as last year. I think she's better than last year, when she just hated the heavy ground."

Paddy Power cut her to 3-1 (from 7-2) for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot on June 15 and her wellbeing was showcased in stunning style at Longchamp.

Goldikova finished seventh of nine in last year's Ispahan, but banished any memories of that by winning three Group 1s before claiming a second successive Breeders' Cup Mile crown at Santa Anita.

Judged on this performance, further glory awaits Goldikova, who runs in the colours of theWertheimer brothers.

Khalid Abdullah's Byword, trained by Andre Fabre and ridden by the promising Maxime Guyon, ran with creditin second.

Abdullah's racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said: "He ran a fantastic race and was only beaten half a length by a great filly. They were a long way off the third and he is still improving. It is possible he will go nextfor the Prince of Wales's at Royal Ascot."

The Prince of Wales's Stakes on June 16 could also be on the agenda for the Jens Hirschberger-trained Wiener Walzer, while Stacelita's trainer Jean-Claude Rouget added: "They went very fast and she could never keep up with the pace. It was an event for specialist milers and we will have to think about her next race."