She’s consistent. Strictly Rhythm finished 3rd of 14 runners at St. Cloud yesterday, again beaten by a filly with Classic ambitions. The race played out completely the opposite of Deauville. Strictly broke a bit fresh and no one would lead, so she was forced to the front and stayed there. Not what you want to see from the stands, but Francois-Xavier Bertras (easier to call him FX, which he seems to answer to) rode a good race, settling back the pace to not take too much out of her and save gas for the finish. She kicked on and hung on well, losing second by a neck. Again, we wouldn’t have beaten the winner, who will show up in Group races later this year. That’s four checks in five races for Strictly Rhythm. She’ll win one soon – most likely when these other Group fillies head off to bigger things.
Tomorrow, George heads to Longchamp. He’s pretty excited about getting to play in the nice park. Let’s see how he does…
Gina you will have to run her on a country track to get a win- where the competition is less strong.
The Parisian 3 year old middle distant maiden races are always red hot and attract one or two top notchers from the big stables every time.
But she ran a very good race, though the winner looks a class act.
All due respect, John, but this filly certainly does not need to go to a “country track” to get her win. She ran a cracker against tough company, leading on top of it, and will win one of these soon. Her next try is likely to be May 5 at Longchamp. Besides, going out to the provinces doesn’t work like it used to, ever since Mr. Rouget invested in a fleet of trucks. All you get out there these days is a bad track with the same horses you find in Paris.