Giofra stays on strongly to score in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes on Friday
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Giofra strikes for France in close Falmouth finish
Report: Newmarket, Friday
Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes (Group 1) 1m, 3yo+, fillies and mares
THE Alain De Royer-Dupre-trained Giofra gave France its second Falmouth Stakes success in the last four years when she stayed on strongly to wear down Elusive Kate close home.
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Goldikova struck for France in 2009 but the winner was the not the French filly many thought it would be as hot favourite Golden Lilac had nothing more to give with two furlongs to run.
The 10-1 winner, advised by Pricewise supremo Tom Segal in Friday's Racing Post, picked up smartly in the closing stages but she was made to battle by the John Gosden-trained Elusive Kate, who kept on willingly up the rail for Frankie Dettori.
De Royer-Dupre said: "She had two very good races at Longchamp this year and I was very confident. I was afraid of Golden Lilac but today she didn't run her race.
"She is a very good filly. She had a slight problem at the beginning of the season as a three year but she has come to the fore now and is a new filly."
Joviality was sharply away but Lay Time held the advantage after the first two furlongs. Golden Lilac was settled towards the outside of the field in midfield in the early stages, with the winner buried in the pack.
Alain De Royer Dupre: said Giofra could run in the Nassau Stakes
PICTURE: Edward WhitakerAlarm signals would have been sounding for Golden Lilac's supporters with as much as three furlongs left to run as Maxime Guyon asked for a response. Her renowned turn of foot was absent and Fabre said the ground was to blame for her lacklustre performance.
Elusive Kate quickened up to smartly on her seasonal debut to dispute the lead with stablemate Joviality but Giofra had just begun to motor in behind.
She quickened up nicely and swept past Elusive Kate to take the lead. Siyouma, trained by Francois Doumen, made up rapid ground from the rear but she had left it too late to catch the winner, who went on to score by half a length.
The winning trainer added: "The Nassau Stakes at Goodwood is possible and after that maybe the Prix de l'Opera or the Arc, she is engaged in both."
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