Special Duty floors Siyouni in Robert Papin

Report: France, Sunday

Maisons-Laffitte: Prix Robert Papin (Group 2) 5½f, 2yo

THE Aga Khan's much-touted Siyouni was beaten into second by the filly Special Duty (Criquette Head-Maarek/Stephane Pasquier) in the Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte on Sunday.

The winner is now in line for a clash with Richard Hannon's brilliant Coventry Stakes winner Canford Cliffs in the Darley Prix Morny at Deauville.

Khalid Abdullah's Special Duty, a daughter of Hennessy, was sent off as an 8-1 chance for the Group 2 Robert Papin, where she was the only maiden among six runners.

Criquette Head-Maarek: sixth win

  PICTURE: Edward Whitaker  

Always well up with the pace from her outside draw, she looked a little green when the race warmed up before striding out really well in the final stages to score by a length and a half over 1-2 favourite Siyouni, who just held second from Dolled Up.

Trainer Criquette Head-Maarek was winning the Robert Papin for the sixth time after Ma Biche (1982), Baiser Vole (1985), Balawaki (1987), Didyme (1992) and Psychobabble (1993).

Ma Biche and Baiser Vole both went on to Classic success, and Head-Maarek will be aiming high with Special Duty.

"She will now be aimed at the Prix Morny - after a Group2, you go for a Group 1," said the trainer. "She was unlucky first time out when she got knocked coming out of the stalls and is a progressive type who could go on to better things."

On her only previous outing, SpecialDuty had finished second in the Listed Prix Yacowlef at Deauville behind Sorciere, who is also being aimed at the Group 1 Morny.

"I have always thought Special Duty a nice filly," added Head-Maarek.

"It might have been little bold to run a maiden in this race but if you don't run you can't win."

The disappointing Siyouni, who was chasing a four-timer, had a chance to go through a gap over one out but couldn't quicken.

Alain de Royer-Dupre seemed bemused. "There appear to be no excuses and I don't really know quite what happened," said the trainer.

"It was the first time he had to fight and he came to win but didn't go through with his effort.

"He is now very doubtful for the Morny and I have a feeling he might be better suited by a longer trip. Maybe he will be next seen out in September's Prix la Rochette at Longchamp."