Doumen bullish about Siyouma’s Falmouth bid
Wednesday 11 July 2012
By Ashley Wishaw
Francois Doumen is bristling with confidence ahead of Siyouma’s challenge in the Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket on Friday.
Siyouma joins Golden Lilac and Giofra in crossing the Channel for the Group One mile contest, and although, unlike her compatriots, she is unproven at the highest level Doumen believes she is on the upgrade after only six runs.
"Siyouma couldn't be better than she is at the moment - she is improving every time she runs and she has certainly improved since she ran in the Prix Corrida,” the Frenchman said. “She was only just beaten by Shareta on that occasion, when she found the trip a little bit too long.”
"I definitely think that a stiff mile at Newmarket would suit her better. She is turning out to be a very big girl with a huge action and I think the uphill climb will suit her very much.
"Siyouma won a good maiden at Longchamp last season for the Aga Khan and then she was put away for six months for some reason. She was able to finish her growing and get nicely balanced and I bought her in December.
"She has done nothing wrong since joining me and I wonder what price she would be if she still raced in the Aga Khan's colours? Every time that Gerald Mosse gets off her, he says that she is improving and we don't quite know her limit at the moment."
Golden Lilac went odds-on after the final declarations and Coral reported that there was heavy demand for Andre Fabre’s raider.
Golden Lilac easily accounted for Cirrus Des Aigles in the Prix D’Ispahan last time out, although Corine Barande-Barbe’s gelding later tested positive for a ‘massive’ dose of a prohibitive substance.
Golden Lilac also won last season’s French Oaks and Guineas.
"Over 85 per cent of the ante-post bets taken so far on the Falmouth Stakes have been for Golden Lilac, so punters will be as surprised as trainer Andre Fabre if the filly fails to win on Friday," Coral's David Stevens said.
John Gosden has declared Windsor Forest Stakes scorer Joviality (William Buick) and Group One-winning two-year-old Elusive Kate (Frankie Dettori), while Windsor Forest runner-up Chachamaidee is in opposition.
However, Gosden has decided against running his Coronation Stakes heroine Fallen For You.
There are also two Irish raiders in John Oxx's Ballycorus Stakes winner Alanza, and Maybe for Aidan O'Brien. Barefoot Lady, Lay Time and Irish History complete a strong line-up.
Coral - Etihad Airways Falmouth Stakes: 10-11 Golden Lilac, 8 Chachamaidee, Giofra, Maybe, 9 Joviality, 14 Alanza, Elusive Kate, 16 Lay Time, 25 Irish History, Siyouma, 33 Barefoot Lady
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