Great win by Strathspey in Saint-Cloud G2

Strathspey defied inexperience and much tougher opposition for a last-gasp victory in the 12-furlong G2 Prix de Malleret at Saint-Cloud, France, on Sunday, July 2.

The three-year-old New Approach filly, trained by Andre Fabre, had made two previous appearances in maidens. She finished third over 10 furlongs at Maisons-Laffitte on May 6 and then enjoyed a neck success in a maiden over a furlong further at Lyon Parilly on May 25. 

Mickael Barzalona, in the saddle again, held up Strathspey in eighth of the 11 runners as Listen In took the field along.

Strathspey dropped back to ninth before turning for home and was kept on the inner after entering the straight.

There was not much room to make a challenge with a quarter-mile remaining but the Godolphin filly was soon switched out and came with a great run to go second well inside the final furlong.

Strathspey still had a couple of lengths to find on the leader but came flying through and beat Listen In by a short-head in a thrilling finish, with Listed scorer Elas Ruby a length and a quarter back in third. The winning time on good to soft going was 2m 31.95s.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “That was very exciting.

“Strathspey was taking a big step up in class here but she performed with great credit and rewarded Andre Fabre’s bold decision to run her in this race.

“There are no plans at the moment – we are just delighted that Strathspey is now a G2 winner.”