The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections for 1st September 2024

The Mandarin’s Sunday Selections from ParisLongchamp

ParisLongchamp

Prix d’Arenberg (Group 3) 12.45
Aesterius
The first of the Black Type contests on ParisLongchamp’s Sunday card can go to Archie Watson’s Aesterius. This Mehmas colt only found Big Mojo too good in the Molecomb at Goodwood last time out, but can go one better here in the Wathnan Racing silks, which should tee him up nicely for the Mill Reef at Newbury later this month. Aidan O’Brien’s Irish raider, Treasure Isle is the one to make Aesterius work for it, while Karl Burke’s Miss Lamai completes the shortlist.

Darley Prix Joubert (Listed) (Fillies) 1.35
Mother Nature (nap)
The beautifully bred Mother Nature is going to be all the rage for this Listed Fillies contest. By the American Triple Crown winning Justify, this trip should be within her range, and she already has form over her stablemate, Lily Hart, from their clash in the Give Thanks Stakes at Cork last month. Mother Nature only went down by half a length to Shamida in that Group 3, so she looks good value here dropped in grade. Mother Nature to continue to progress.

Prix de Liancourt (Listed) (Fillies) 3.00
Rock’n Swing (nb)
Andre Fabre holds the key to this Listed contest with Rock’n Swing. Last seen a fast finishing third of five to Almara in the Prix de Psyche at Deauville in July, this Camelot filly had been thrown into Group 1 company, finishing a 2 length seventh in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches, before a down the field finish in the Prix de Diane. This is a more realistic target, and she’s sure to make her run late, deep into the home straight, and eat into the yards of likely front-runner Some Skye. Selemiah is progressive and makes up the list of dangers, but Rock’n Swing should be winning this.

Prix de la Cochere – Fonds European de l’Elevage (Listed) (Fillies & Mares) 3.35
Sirona
This looks a good opportunity for David Menuisier’s filly to break her season’s duck, with Oisin Murphy booked for the trip. She was hardly thrown in when lining up for the Group One Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket in July, and her next run in the Valiant Stakes at Ascot may have come too soon, so is easy to draw a line through. Ralph Beckett’s Stop The Cavalry needs to bounce back from an underwhelming run at Goodwood, where the ground may have been too quick, while Stephane Wattel’s Zvaroshka has found just one too good in her last four runs, so is a tempting each-way angle. Sirona to score for David Menuisier and Oisin Murphy.

Prix Gerald de Geoffre (Group 3) 4.10
Hamavi
A cracking race to complete the Black Type races on ParisLongchamp’s Sunday card. With only Christophe Ferland’s Columbus proven at this trip, the Oasis Dream colt is easy to back, but Shamarkand has been in fine form, bringing up a hat-trick at Vichy in July when he found plenty for pressure, but it’s Hamavi that gets the final vote. Andre Fabre’s Dubawi gelding is three from five this season, and put in a fine run to see off William Muir & Chris Grassick’s Go Daddy at Clairefontaine last time out. Hamavi is one going the right way, and in top hands with Andre Fabre, with every chance of seeing out this trip.

The Mandarin