By Tom Frary
Not an immediate hit, Juliet Capulet was third behind Poetic Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) and Sizzling (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) on her third start in a decent maiden over this trip at the July meeting here July 15 before opening her account by 3 1/2 lengths at Thirsk 13 days later. Runner-up to Tajaanus (Ire) (Arcano {Ire}) in the G3 Sweet Solera S. over that same course and distance last time Aug. 12, the bay was able to dictate at a steady tempo with Frankie Dettori entering the zone ahead of Sunday's big date in the Arc. Few are able to demonstrate such skillful use of front-running tactics like the Italian who had achieved that unmatchable “magnificent seven” 21 years and one day before and his mount appreciated being allowed to bowl as she led a trio down the centre. In control approaching the “dip”, she was all out as the favourite Nyaleti closed in late with Juddmonte's promising Gavota running an encouraging race in third.
“The petrol ran out in the last 50 yards and I was eager for the line to come,” Dettori said. “She didn't deserve to get beat today, she did everything right and I think seven furlongs is just about right. She has progressed, but I think the ground is a key factor. She has plenty of experience and it was a good effort.” John Gosden added, “She's a sweet filly who is very genuine and this is her trip. She just used to look around a bit and was easily distracted, but we took the headgear off today. I don't think she's a miler. She's happy at seven furlongs.”
Mark Johnston's son and assistant Charlie said of Nyaleti, “She ran another good race and the way things panned out did not play to her advantage. She was left on her own and she was two and a half lengths behind going into the dip and a stride after the line she was in front. I'd love to run the race again as I think she'd probably win it, she's held her form well all year, finishing second in a group two we should feel pleased rather than gutted. James [Doyle] said going into the dip he was not 100 per-cent comfortable, but when she met the rising ground she powered to the line. The owners are keen on a tilt at America, but she's in the [G1] Fillies' Mile [at Newmarket Oct. 13] as well so we'll see. Judged on today it looks like she wants to go back to a mile again.” Roger Charlton was pleased with the effort of the previously-unbeaten Gavota and commented, “She stayed on all the way to the line and could not get out when she needed to. Better ground would suit her and I was pleased with that. I was happy to be in the first three and maybe there is better to come.”
Capulet Monteque, who has only visited Dark Angel so far, had instant success as a broodmare with her first foal being the Listed Blenheim S. runner-up Juliette Fair (Ire). She is a half-sister to the Listed Scarbrough S. winner and G2 King's Stand S. runner-up Flanders (Ire) (Common Grounds {GB}), who is herself the dam of the G1 Haydock Sprint Cup-winning European highweight G Force (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) and the GIII Miesque S. winner Louvain (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}). Louvain's Flotilla (Fr) (Mizzen Mast) captured the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches, while two of Flanders's half-sisters produced notable sprinters. Ascot Family (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}), who was successful in the Listed Prix des Jouvenceaux et des Jouvencelles, threw the G2 Prix Robert Papin and G3 Prix du Bois scorer and G1 Prix Morny runner-up Family One (Fr) (Dubai Destination), while Land Army (Ire) (Desert Style {Ire}) was responsible for the G1 Diamond Jubilee S. and G1 July Cup-winning sire Lethal Force (Ire) also by Dark Angel. The winner's yearling full-brother sold for €350,000 to South Africa's Form Bloodstock on Wednesday at the Goffs Orby Sale.
Friday, Newmarket, Britain
SHADWELL ROCKFEL S.-G2, £109,000, NEW, 9-29, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:27.23, g/s.
1–JULIET CAPULET (IRE), 126, f, 2, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Capulet Monteque (Ire), by Camacho (GB)
2nd Dam: Family At War, by Explodent
3rd Dam: Sometimes Perfect, by Bold Bidder
*1st stakes win. (€235,000 Ylg '16 GOFORB). O-Cheveley Park Stud; B-Yeomanstown Stud (IRE); T-John Gosden; J-Lanfranco Dettori. £61,814. Lifetime Record: 6-2-1-1, $101,491. *Full to Juliette Fair (Ire), SP-Ire. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Nyaleti (Ire), 126, f, 2, Arch–America Nova (Fr), by Verglas (Ire). (40,000gns Ylg '16 TATOCT). O-3 Batterhams and a Reay; B-SF Bloodstock LLC (IRE); T-Mark Johnston. £23,435.[bullet ad=”baroda-consigned-by”]3–Gavota (GB), 126, f, 2, Bated Breath (GB)">Bated Breath (GB)–Ombre (GB), by Galileo (Ire). O-Khaled Abdullah; B-Juddmonte Farms (East) Ltd (GB); T-Roger Charlton. £11,728.
Margins: HD, 1HF, HF. Odds: 9.00, 2.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: Hikmaa (Ire), Butterscotch (Ire), Elizabeth Bennet (Ire), Capomento (Ire), Lightening Quick (GB), Club Tropicana (GB), Roulette (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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