Musis Amica second in G1 Prix Vermeille

Four-year-old filly Musis Amica bounced back to her best with a fine second in the G1 Prix Vermeille at Longchamp, France, on Sunday, 15 September.

The Andre Fabre-trained daughter of Dawn Approach, stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time after disappointing in the 10-furlong G1 Darley Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August, was held up in a clear last of the nine runners for much of the contest.

Musis Amica accelerated markedly down the outside of the field with a furlong and a half to race and took second just inside the final half-furlong. She galloped out strongly under Mickael Barzalona to go down by three-quarters of a length to Star Catcher, who made all to win in 2m 27.63s on good ground.

Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin said: “We were absolutely delighted with the performance of Musis Amica, who has put her run in the Darley Prix Jean Romanet behind her.

“Mickael Barzalona said that Musis Amica quickened really nicely and he feels that she could potentially step up in trip again, although it is important that she has a fast pace to aim at.

“She has several entries on Arc weekend. She would have to improve significantly from this run to take her chance in the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (1m 4f, Sunday, 6 October) and another option could be the G1 Prix de Royallieu (1m 6f, Saturday, 5 October).

“Andre Fabre will see how she comes out of this race before making a decision, but hopefully she can come back to Longchamp for one the G1 races in three weeks’ time.”