Spain Burg downs odds-on Fair Eva
Roger Charlton's filly could only manage second behind the highly progressive French filly who was always travelling best of the field under Frankie Dettori
FAIR Eva's reputation suffered another glitch as she was beaten by French raider Spain Burg in the Shadwell Rockfel Stakes at Newmarket.
Surprisingly only third in the Lowther Stakes at York after winning her first two starts in great style, the daughter of Frankel had no answer to the finishing burst of the cross-Channel challenger.
Spain Burg (14-1) went on to score cosily by a length and a quarter to become the first French-trained winner of the Rockfel.
The victory was a landmark one for trainer Xavier Thomas-Demeaulte, who is based at Mont-de-Marsan in south western France, where he has held a licence since late 2001.
He is a former assistant to top jumps trainer Francois Doumen and failed to visit the winner's enclosure with his first four British runners.
Thomas-Demeaulte said: "After her last race race in La Teste, I had no races for her in France.
"I had the choice between Goodwood, which was too close, and this one. I chose this one and it was a good choice.
"England is very famous for the races, so it's a pleasure to be here. We were very well received here in Newmarket.
"She was the first two-year-old I ran this year. I didn't run many two-year-olds, but she showed me in the mornings that she has class and wants to go.
"She was very impressive and the thing I told Frankie Dettori before the race was not to go in front. If she wasn't in front, I knew that she could finish.
"That's the last race of her season. Maybe we will look at the Prix Imprudence next spring as it's seven furlongs in a straight line and it's better to do it in France than have another trip over here."
Asked whether she would return to the Rowley Mile for next year's 1000 Guineas, the trainer added: "Let's speak to the owner, but I would like to."
Dettori was suitably impressed by the performance.
He said: "They told me she was quite smart. Obviously it's very hard to judge the French form, but he (Thomas-Demeaulte) told me she had a great turn of foot and she has.
"She handled the track well. Sometimes when horses encounter this they find it difficult, but she came home really good.
"I was always in control, I was always travelling and they were all pushing.
"It was just a matter of time before she quickened past them and she did."
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, admitted runner-up Fair Eva ran well below expectations.
He said: "It was a disappointing run, there's no question about it.
"There's no excuses at the moment, but she seems fine.
"She's run well below the best of her form.
"She's been in great form coming into the race and everything like that we were very happy with."
