Candala gets up late to win the Prix de la Grotte

Aga Khan homebred Frankel filly Candala came with a late surge to win the Gr.3 Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp yesterday (14th April).

Taken from the Thoroughbred Daily News, 15th April 2024, by Tom Frary:

It is 16 years since The Aga Khan enjoyed the Gr.1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches-Gr.1 Prix de Diane double with Zarkava and there was a genuine sense at ParisLongchamp on Sunday that he has a live prospect for a repeat. While the afternoon's Gr.3 Prix de la Grotte winner Candala can not yet be placed in the same bracket as that former luminary, the manner of her reentry suggests that she is going to be one of the season's leading lights among her sex.

Anchored with only the slow-starting Gr.1 Prix Marcel Boussac runner-up Rose Bloom behind early by Mickael Barzalona, the 29-10 favourite who was last seen winning a Chantilly conditions event in September by four lengths delivered a telling surge in the straight to overhaul the 13-1 shot Minoushka close home for a short-neck success, with the Gr.3 Prix des Reservoirs winner Tulipa Chope a length away in third.

"I was impatient to see her back at the races, but equally I was not in too much of a hurry as the ground has been very bad so far and also it took her some time to come in her coat and blossom," explained trainer Francis-Henri Graffard, who had earlier saddled the owner-breeder's Calandagan to success in the Gr.3 Prix Noailles. "So a nice day like today with drier ground was ideal for a seasonal debut and it was the plan to use waiting tactics, as I know she can quicken. She had run well here first time out last year, won well on her second start and had always showed us good things. I'd imagine the Poule d'Essai will be next. She has every right to be at the start and it will be a test, but we also think that she'll stay further."

According to France Galop, the winner's finishing splits were :11.94, :10.98 and :11.41 confirming that she has the acceleration to win the course-and-distance mile Classic in four weeks' time, which is notable considering her stamina-packed pedigree that points to her being much more of a Diane or Oaks filly.