Goldikova (nearside): all out to beat Paco Boy at Royal Ascot
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker/Racingpostpix.comGoldikova has Miesque mark in her sights
Preview: France, Sunday 2.40pm BST (live on ATR)
Deauville: Prix Rothschild (ex d'Astarté) (Group 1) 1m, 3yo+ f/m
GOLDIKOVA (Freddie Head/Olivier Peslier) has the Group 1 record of the great Miesque in her sights on Sunday as she bids to land her tenth victory at the highest level by completing a hat-trick in the former Prix d'Astarte at Deauville.
The fantastic five-year-old will start hot favourite to beat seven rivals in this straight mile event after delighting connections this season with her progress towards a historic third success in the Breeders' Cup Mile.
Victory would be Goldikova's tenth Group or Grade 1 win - a mark previously achieved by only Miesque among European-trained horses since the introduction of the Pattern at the start of the 1970s.
Everything looks in favour of Goldikova, whose trainer Freddie Head suggests "all the boxes are ticked".
Although the daughter of Anabaa's stamina was stretched to the limit when she won the Prix d'Ispahan, the form looks red-hot in retrospect given that the runner-up Byword went on to take the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Goldikova, whose stablemate Only Green (Davy Bonilla) will again act as pacemaker, also scored at the royal meeting, just holding on from the fast-finishing Paco Boy in the Queen Anne after looking to be cruising three furlongs out.
Goldikova casts an imposing shadow, but the ever-optimistic Mick Channon cannot wait to take her on with Falmouth Stakes winner Music Show (Richard Hughes).
Things had not fallen right for the daughter of Noverre in the top fillies' races until it all came together at the Newmarket July meeting, where she claimed a competitive event with a sharp late burst.
Jersey Stakes winner Rainfall (Mark Johnston/Kieren Fallon), third in the Falmouth, reopposes at Deauville.
Elusive Wave (Jean-Claude Rouget/Christophe Soumillon), who began 2009 with a victory in the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, was beaten a length and a half by Goldikova in this race a year ago.
After a training setback prematurely curtailed her season, she has taken time to come to herself again but didn't run badly next time out in the Prix du Chemin de Fer du Nord behind Fuisse, who has since trounced the opposition in the Prix Messidor at Maisons-Laffitte.
Stephane Pasquier: rides Evading Tempete for Francois Rohaut
PICTURE: Mark CranhamCoronation Stakes fifth Evading Tempete (Francois Rohaut/Stephane Pasquier) is also a Classic winner, having landed the Premio Regina Elena (Italian 1,000 Guineas) in May.
The Wertheimer brothers not only own Goldikova but also the promising Evaporation (Carlos Laffon-Parias/Mickael Barzalona), winner last time out of the Listed Prix Amandine at Maisons-Laffitte and out of the first three only once in eight career starts.
Desmond Stoneham's selection: Goldikova
What they say
Michael Zerolo, racing manager to Martin Schwartz, owner of Elusive Wave
"She is in top form but rather a quirky filly - she can lose half her race in the paddock and on the way to the post, but if she keeps cool she will run very well. Her last run behind Fuisse was good as he is a very good colt."
Freddie Head, trainer of Goldikova
"I truly think she is in top form, better than ever - I'm very happy with her. She loves Deauville and always excels there, and she came out of her Ascot race extremely well. She hada hard race but was completely recovered one week later. She goes on all ground except heavy; I think all the boxes are ticked for this race."
Mick Channon, trainer of Music Show
"She came out of the Falmouth in great form and I am very, very pleased with her - she is definitely going the right way. It is no good having a good horse if you don't take on others of the same class."
Francois Rohaut, trainer of Evading Tempete
"She has recovered well since her run at Ascot, where she wasn't helped when they watered the track. Taking into account her long journey and the fact that she wasn't totally at ease in the race, it was still a very good performance. She's been down at Deauville for the past 15 days and has had a trouble-free preparation. I think she will run better on a straight track."
Carlos Laffon-Parias, trainer of Evaporation
"In principle Goldikova will be hard to beat but if we don't run against her you will never know. This filly won the Amandine nicely and this is a big step up in class but I hope she can make the places. It will be her first time running over the straight mile."
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