Tawkeel comfortably took the big step up in class and handed her rivals a five length thrashing in Sunday’s Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary (2000m) at Chantilly.
The form pointers were there – Tawkeel had defeated Wangari last time out and that filly had since won the Listed Prix Finlande but even her most ardent admirers could not have expected such a performance.
The Jean-Claude Rouget-trained three-year-old was settled just behind the leading group until into the home straight before coasting alongside and then accelerating clear to go on and defeat Magic Attitude with Solsticia a head behind in third.
Tawkeel has won all four of her races and Christian Demuro told the Racing Post the win felt as good as it looked.
“I loved the way she picked up in two strides, I almost felt we were going too fast at the finish,” Demuro said
“I adore that turn of foot she has.”
Angus Gold, racing manager for Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, said the improvement the daughter of Teofilo has made has been spectacular.
“It’s always difficult when you’re not there to see the horses but it’s very exciting to have a filly graduate from winning a maiden at the start of the year to being a Group 1 winner,” Gold said.
“It’s a very nice position to be in with Tawkeel and Raabihah. Our decision now is do we aim two at the Prix de Diane or try to split them up and perhaps bring one to Epsom?
“Jean-Claude rightly pointed out that we have to see how this filly pulls up. It’s only three weeks (until the Diane) and she’s just put in a big effort.
“I will speak to Sheikh Hamdan and see what he wants to do. Before today we knew Raabihah was good and we hoped Tawkeel was. It’s nice to have two fillies of that class in France.”