Micheline swoops late to take second in G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup

Three-year-old filly Micheline produced a storming late run to fill the runner-up spot in the nine-furlong G1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup on turf at Keeneland, USA, on Saturday, 10 October.

The Michael Stidham-trained Bernardini homebred, successful in the Dueling Grounds Oaks at Kentucky Downs on her previous start, settled behind Sweet Melania, Harvey’s Lil Goil and Hendy Woods as the front four opened up a significant advantage after the first quarter-mile.

The field bunched leaving the back straight, with Micheline being shuffled back to sixth after being forced wide turning for home. She still had five rivals in front of her with a furlong left before flying home under Florent Geroux to take second near the line and finish three-quarters of a length behind Harvey’s Lil Goil.

Godolphin USA President Jimmy Bell said: “Micheline is a talented filly and has put up a very good effort. She was bumped a little bit at the quarter-pole and Florent Geroux said it took a bit of time to get her momentum going again, but she really finished with a flourish.

“We know that she can stay a little further and it was a very good run in a solid G1 race. She showed that she is a legitimate contender at this level.”