In the predictions made on the eve of the race, the Grand Prix Royal Mares (the only Group 1 in our calendar dedicated to older females) appeared destined to result in a match between Delicious Gar and Emma dei Veltri in the order of evaluation. From the racetrack came the confirmation, but in inverted order compared to what were also the bookmakers’ odds. Antonio Di Nardo with Emma dei Veltri beat Delicious Gar by dominating the contest first on the tactical level and then on that of pure speed. On the initial sprint of Marion Fouty Bon, the driver from Campania (three victories in the afternoon at Agnano) chose not to stay on the rope, but to immediately beat outside lanes anticipating his adversary’s ascent, an anticipation that proved fundamental. The decisive sprint on the tread’s decline allowed Gennaro Casillo’s pupil to gain that indispensable margin to secure the success with an average of 1.11.1. In third place a diligent and concrete Dali Prav.
For Emma dei Veltri, a daughter of Maharajah and Top Model Ok this is the second victory in a group race after the one in the Filly Continental last September. It should be noted that the success of a four-year-old in this race is an extremely rare event. To find another mare capable of winning this race before she is over five years old, one has to go back to 2001: Alma Roc.
