Causing a stir when taking the G2 Duke of Cambridge S. at Royal Ascot June 17 before proving that was no fluke when adding the G1 Falmouth S. to her tally at Newmarket July 10, Sir Robert Ogden's Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) confirmed her permanent stay at the top table when extending her sequence in Sunday's G1 Prix Rothschild at Deauville. Settling for an invaluable lead early with Olivier Peslier keeping an eye on Ervedya (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), the 5-1 shot swooped on that even-money favorite with 150 meters remaining and was firmly on top at the line where she held a 1 1/4-length advantage. “She was unbelievable today,” commented trainer David O'Meara, who continues to carry all before him and was celebrating a third top-level success in less than a year. “She is obviously a very good filly. There was probably some doubt about whether she was truly a Group One filly after Ascot, but she's done it again twice since then and you'd have to say she's among the best fillies in Europe now.”
Sunday, Deauville, France
PRIX ROTHSCHILD-G1, €300,000, DVL, 8-2, 3yo/up, f/m, 8fT, 1:34.72, gd.
1–AMAZING MARIA (IRE), 128, f, 4, by Mastercraftsman (Ire)
1st Dam: Messias da Silva, by Tale of the Cat
2nd Dam: Indy Power, by A.P. Indy
3rd Dam: Clever Power, by Lines of Power
O/B-Sir Robert Ogden (IRE); T-David O'Meara; J-Olivier Peslier. €171,420. Lifetime Record: G1SW-Eng & GSP-Ire, 12-5-0-3, €488,725. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ervedya (Fr), 121, f, 3, Siyouni (Fr)–Elva (Ire), by King's Best. O-H H The Aga Khan; B-H H The Aga Khan's Studs SC (FR); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €68,580.
3–Bawina (Ire), 128, f, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Esneh (Ire), by Sadler's Wells. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €34,290.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1 1/4, NK. Odds: 4.80, 1.00, 4.40.
Also Ran: Odeliz (Ire), Fintry (Ire), Rizeena (Ire), Usherette (Ire), Amulet (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
By the time Amazing Maria was dazzling the Glorious Goodwood crowds when registering an impressive six-length maiden success two years ago, the ex-jumps jockey David O'Meara had been training for three years and had already caught many an eye with his achievements with relatively modest performers. Amazing Maria went on to take the G3 Prestige S. also at that Sussex track for the Ed Dunlop yard and had genuine Classic pretensions as a result, but her next outing came in the G1 Epsom Oaks last June and she misfired completely when last of 17. Reverting to this trip when sent to this meeting to contest the G3 Prix de Lieurey, the homebred finished 11th of the dozen taking part in the race which saw Bawina emerge as a force and fared little better when 10th in the seven-furlong G3 Sceptre S. at Doncaster's St Leger meeting in September. Switched to O'Meara's after the early promise of his fledgling career had been confirmed by the likes of the Group 1-winning sprinters G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and Move In Time (GB) (Monsieur Bond {Ire}), Amazing Maria immediately regained some form when third as the highweight for a mile handicap at Ascot May 9 and continued on the rise when in the same spot in The Curragh's G2 Lanwades Stud S. at that distance May 23. Proving amenable to restraint under a hold-up ride in the Duke of Cambridge S. at the Royal meeting, the formerly headstrong grey finished firmly in command to make a mockery of her 25-1 odds there. Understandably, handicappers were reluctant to accept her as top-drawer material instantly and her status was not completely confirmed after she had emerged best in what turned out to be a tactical renewal of the Falmouth last time. Customarily keen early after hitting the gates with a purpose, she was quickly able to draft behind fellow British raider Odeliz (Ire) (Falco) as another compatriot Amulet (GB) (Ishiguru) towed Ervedya towards her inner. Allowing the Aga Khan's representative first run passing the quarter pole, she was shaken up soon after by a confident Olivier Peslier and it was clear by the time the duo passed the 100-meter marker that Amazing Maria had her measure. “She lives up to her name,” commented her rider, who had partnered Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa) in each of her four wins in this race. “I had hardly moved on her two furlongs out and when she was in the clear and I asked her she quickened and did it very easily. Obviously, she is an improving sort and I'd imagine she is not at the end of the line yet as that was a very convincing victory which brought back great memories.”
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