BELLISSIMO!
After two of the trio of European features had thrown up late drama, Leopardstown's G1 Coolmore Fastnet Rock Matron S. provided welcome straightforward fare as Michael Tabor's Legatissimo (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}) proved far too good for any theatrics when registering a third top-level success. Proving that she would been a major factor in this card's main event, for which she had been engaged until Thursday's confirmation stage, the May 3 G1 1000 Guineas and Aug. 1 G1 Nassau S. winner sauntered from mid-division on the home turn with Wayne Lordan sitting chilly and when allowed to stride to the front with 1 1/2 furlongs remaining quickly put her seal on affairs. At the line, the 7-4 favorite had a comfortable 2 1/4-length margin to spare over Cladocera (Ger) (Oasis Dream {GB}). “She wants good ground, as does Gleneagles, and when it looked like he would run in the Champion if he got that ground she was always going to go for the fillies' race,” trainer David Wachman said. “I'd have to put her at the top of the horses I have trained.”
Saturday, Leopardstown, Ireland
COOLMORE FASTNET ROCK MATRON S.-G1, €300,000, LEO, 9-12, 3yo/up, f, 8fT, 1:39.95, yl.
1–LEGATISSIMO (IRE), 126, f, 3, by Danehill Dancer (Ire)
1st Dam: Yummy Mummy (GB), by Montjeu (Ire)
2nd Dam: Gryada (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
3rd Dam: Grimpola (Ger), by Windwurf (Ger)
(350,000gns Ylg '13 TAOCT). O-Michael Tabor, Susan Magnier & Derrick Smith; B-Newsells Park Stud (IRE); T-David Wachman; J-Wayne Lordan. €180,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SW-Eng, 10-5-3-0, $1,358,277. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
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2–Cladocera (Ger), 131, f, 4, Oasis Dream (GB)">Oasis Dream (GB)–Caesarine (Fr), by Pivotal (GB). O/B-Haras de la Perelle (GER); T-Alain de Royer-Dupre. €60,000.
3–Ainippe (Ire), 126, f, 3, Captain Rio (GB)–Imitation (GB), by Darshaan (GB). O-Qatar Racing Ltd; B-John Kennedy (IRE); T-Ger Lyons. €30,000.
Margins: 2 1/4, 2 1/4, HF. Odds: 1.75, 11.00, 16.00.
Also Ran: Raydara (Ire), Euro Charline (GB), Steip Amach (Ire), Amazing Maria (Ire), Military Angel, Brooch. Scratched: Iveagh Gardens (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result, the brisnet.com PPs or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Unsuited by significant ease in the ground, as she proved when fourth in the Apr. 12 G3 Leopardstown 1000 Guineas Trial, Legatissimo was a different proposition a fortnight later when earning a Classic tilt by winning the Listed Victor McCalmont Memorial S. over an extended nine furlongs at Gowran Park. Bouncing off the good-to-firm going prevalent for Newmarket's 1000 Guineas, the bay had those conditions again when a short-head second to Ballydoyle's Qualify (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) in the June 5 G1 Epsom Oaks which may have stretched her stamina marginally too far. In the G1 Pretty Polly S. at The Curragh June 28, she was boxed in at a crucial point and again lost out by that slimmest of margins to another Rosegreen incumbent in Diamondsandrubies (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and so Wayne Lordan was keen to avoid traffic and keep it simple next time in Goodwood's Nassau. Emphatic there under uncomplicated tactics, Legatissimo left Arabian Queen (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) in her wake and the significance of that performance was only fully evident 18 days later as dramatic events unfolded at York. Again kept to the outside for a clear passage here, she tracked her main market rival Amazing Maria (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) but as that dual Group 1 winner gave way tamely in early stretch the Tabor color-bearer was still just in second gear. Sweeping aside Euro Charline (GB) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) passing the quarter pole, she drew away to register a bloodless success. “She's been improving all year. She seemed to travel very well, quicken up and put it to bed well,” trainer David Wachman said. “She seems to be getting fresher between her races and hadn't run for about six weeks, so we'll try and give her another six weeks and head to the GI Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf if the owners want to do that. Good ground is the key and she only barely tolerated that today. The ground was a worry and I was very close to not running her. I drove here expecting to take her out, but when I walked it I got a nice surprise.”
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