Tamfana impresses in Atalanta triumph | Full report & free video replay
By Sporting Life
17:44 · SAT August 31, 2024
Tamfana stamped her class on the Sky Bet Atalanta Stakes at Sandown for Oisin Murphy and David Menuisier.
Admittedly down in class, she was also dropping half a mile in trip from her last outing when she finished fourth in the Group One Grand Prix de Paris over 12 furlongs.
While she was head and shoulders above her rivals on form having finished a one-length fourth in the 1000 Guineas and third in the Prix de Diane, she did have to prove she had the speed back over a mile.
The result never looked in much doubt, with Murphy holding on to her for as long as possible, cruising up to the leader Spiritual before quickening away impressively.
A step back up in class will now follow for the 13/8 favourite, who beat Doha by two and three-quarter lengths.
“I’m absolutely delighted and she has done it with style, which was what we were expecting to see really, despite the fact she has had a break,” said Menuisier.
“She was in need of the run and without being cheeky, that is how she should have won the race, the form was there.
“We were confident but you want things to go the right way. As you can see, she has a nick on her hind leg there and things like this could stop a horse in a race and that is why you always hope for a dream run. That’s pretty much what happened.
“It was important to win today and there was a fair amount of pressure. When you run at Group One level, anything can happen and you are hopeful. Today hopeful wasn’t enough – but it is good pressure. It was an important stepping stone to the autumn.
“She is entered in the Sun Chariot and the Prix de l’Opera the next day, so we will have the choice, we won’t make the call right now. She is also entered in the QEII.
“She’s versatile and she is not ground dependent – you can run on good, quick, heavy, all-weather, but we haven’t tried dirt!”
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Log in with your existing Sporting Life, Sky Bet, or Sky Games account. If you don't have any of those, it's completely FREE to register!
He went on: “I’ve enjoyed her since day one and she has been challenging at times, but rewarding and then frustrating and then rewarding again.
“She has a very strong personality and she is not easy to train everyday but at the end of the day, they need to have a bit of spark if they are good – Wonderful Tonight was the same. If she doesn’t want you in her box, she won’t let you.
“She is fantastic and I am lucky to have three, four, five high-class horses and they are the ones you look forward to all your life. It is a dream come true to train horses like that.”
Murphy added: “She has plenty of class and it was all very smooth. That’s the beauty with her, she is so rideable.
“Speaking to David, maybe she will stay at a mile now, I don’t know what mile race. She’s versatile and handles dig in the ground well. David and the owners will decide where she goes and they will have a good think about it.
“She didn’t stay in the Grand Prix de Paris which was my fault, as I thought she would stay 12 furlongs. She doesn’t and thanks have to go to connections for retaining the faith and allowing me to get the job done this afternoon.
“One thing to note today was that she was always comfortable against some speedy types over a mile.”
Rest of Sandown
Flight looks to have booked her ticket to the Betfred May Hill Stakes after getting off the ground in the Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes at Sandown.
Second to the useful Flaming Stone on debut, Ollie Sangster’s youngster bumped into the talented prospect Desert Flower at Newmarket on her second start.
However, she gave her connections no cause for concern this time as the 5/6 favourite shed her maiden status in good style under Oisin Murphy.
Blessed with some talented two-year-old fillies this year, Sangster feels Flight is right up with the best of them and the Manton handler is tempted to pitch the daughter of Siyouni at Group Two level at Doncaster in the coming weeks.
“I think she is going to improve going up to a mile, she’s a big filly and I think with time and another winter on her back she will improve, but that was really good,” said Sangster.
“She’s right up there with the others. She’s taken a bit longer than the other fillies to come to hand, but I think the ability is there for sure and she’s exciting.
“Today was straightforward and she seems to have a good temperament. It’s nice when you can just jump and make your own plans and go from the front. It was smooth and a nice watch, she hasn’t had a hard race and I think we will have a provisional look at the May Hill.
“The logical next step is to go up to stakes company and something like the May Hill might suit. It comes quite soon but the nature of Doncaster, a galloping track and up at a mile with a bit of ease in the ground, I think would be perfect for this filly.”
Access to exclusive features all for FREE - No monthly subscription fee
Log in with your existing Sporting Life, Sky Bet, or Sky Games account. If you don't have any of those, it's completely FREE to register!
Flight was the third leg of a successful afternoon for three-time champion jockey Murphy, who as well as claiming the Sky Bet Atalanta Stakes aboard Tamfana, successfully reunited with Glenfinnan to take the Sky Bet Extra Places Every Day Handicap.
Murphy had previously guided the four-year-old to victory when he was stabled with Andrew Balding, but was delighted to pick up the ride once again, with the 13/2 scorer now trained by Michael Dods.
“It was a little bit stop-start and I couldn’t get him to relax as much as I would have liked,” said Murphy.
“I’ve won on him before so was probably entitled to have another go on him, but he was good to finish off like that considering he was a bit keen through the race. He was brave in the straight and saw out the seven furlongs well.”
Clifford Lee received all the plaudits as Flying Frontier made a winning return to form in the Sky Bet For The Fans Handicap at Sandown.
A dual winner at three, James Tate’s son of Farhh has been somewhat out of sorts in his two outings this term, but roared back to form under a cute ride from Lee – who was partnering the colt for the first time since shedding his maiden at Carlisle last summer.
“He’s a funny horse and you have to just keep him interested and his mind on the job because he can drop himself out,” explained Philip Robinson, racing manager for owner Saeed Manana.
“I think Clifford did a wonderful job there, kept him interested and then made his mind up when he got there. He took the brave route which I think paid off. Keeping him interested amongst horses has paid dividends and he has gone forward for him.
“It’s not out of the question he runs in the Cambridgeshire and as long as he tells the trainer he’s in good form, I dare say he might have a go at it.”
Marcus Tregoning had already had a winner at Beverley by the time Corriamo (14/1) gave him an across-the-card double in the Sky Bet Acca Freeze Nursery Handicap, with the concluding Sky Bet Build A Bet Handicap going the way of Michael Herrington’s 7/1 chance Good Earth.
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Fast Results
Scores
