Rare double for Miesque

Press, 20 May 1987, Page 46

Rare double for Miesque

NZPA-Reuter Paris The flying French filly, Miesque, winner of the English 1600 Guineas just over two weeks ago completed a rare double when she won the French 1000 Guineas in style at Longchamp on Sunday. Miesque, a daughter of Nureyev, produced the fastest time since records were available, in 1955, for the one-mile Poule d’Essai des Pouliches and achieved a double that had eluded trainers for 40 years. A change in race

schedules, moving the French race back two weeks, made the feat possible. Ridden by Freddie Head, Miesque conjured a devastating burst in the straight to win by two-and-a-half lengths from Sakura Reiko, ridden by Tony Cruz. . Trainer, Francois Boutin, said afterwards: “We took a risk running her so soon after the English Guineas but it has turned out all right. She is not in her summer coat yet but she will be just right for the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) next month.”

In the English race at Newmarket, Miesque had been, badly boxed in. But

on Sunday there was no problem. Head brought the brilliant filly wide into the straight and settled the matter 400 m from home. Sakura Reiko, which had led into the straight, plugged on gamely to earn a tilt at the Epsom Oaks, for which she is quoted 6-1 third favourite. Libertine finished third three lengths behind Sakura Reiko, followed home by Balbonella and English challengers, Interval and Martha Stevens. Miesque, providing Head with his sixth winning ride in the race, produced a performance that dazzled all the Longchamp watchers. “She’s a champion. One of the best,” he said later.