French black-type for Starspangledbanner

Meliora (4f Starspangledbanner-Messelina, by Noverre) provided another big-race success for Starspangledbanner at Fontainebleau in France on Friday. Litex Commerce’s home-bred filly, trained in Germany by Miltcho Mintchev, finished a length clear of British raider Persona Grata to win the Listed Grand Prix de Fontainebleau, run over 10 furlongs. “The trainer was very confident, he told me that Meliora was a good filly,” jockey Eddy Hardouin told JDG. “She was relaxed through the race and I didn’t hesitate to make my move early, particularly as like all Germans she is very tough!”