Game Gleneagles Filly Secures Group 2 Prize

Saturday saw Melo Melo (4f Gleneagles - You Look So Good, by Excellent Art) add a Group 2 win to her fine record when prevailing in a thrilling finish to the Prix de Pomone at Deauville.

A commanding winner of a Listed race last time out in May, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained grey dropped back to a mile and a half on return, with Mickael Barzalona positioning her in midfield. Racing wide in the straight, she was ridden to lead approaching the final furlong and stayed on well to deny stablemate Baiykara by a short neck on the line.

It marked a quickfire Group double for Graffard, who won the preceding Group 2 with Les Pavots (No Nay Never). On his latest winner, the in-form trainer said, “She was ready to run again and delivered nicely for a career high. With this performance, she has earned the right to try her chance in the Group 1 Prix Vermeille.”

Bred by the Pocock family, Melo Melo was bought by BBA Ireland as a foal for 110,000gns and now runs in the colours of Ecurie Ama Zingteam. The daughter of Gleneagles provides an important update for her half-brother by Wootton Bassett, who is catalogued in the Tattersalls Book 2 Yearling Sale. The pair also have a two-year-old sister by Ten Sovereigns yet to run.