David Menuisier’s Tamfana is set to target the Sun Chariot Stakes following a smart victory in the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown.
The filly displayed significant promise earlier in the season, finishing just a length behind the winner in the 1000 Guineas on only her second outing as a three-year-old. She was subsequently stepped up in distance, first contesting the Prix de Diane at Chantilly over just over 10 furlongs, where she finished third, appearing to stay on strongly despite a narrow loss of three-quarters of a length.
Her next challenge was the Grand Prix de Paris over a mile and a half, but it was felt that Tamfana did not stay the trip, though she was not disgraced with a fourth-place finish.
Returning to a mile at Sandown on August 31, Tamfana was the 13-8 favourite under Oisin Murphy for the Group Three Atalanta Stakes. The drop back in distance proved successful, as she cruised to a decisive two-and-three-quarter-length victory over Ralph Beckett’s Doha.
Menuisier is now considering whether to keep Tamfana at a mile for the Sun Chariot Stakes or to return to 10 furlongs for the Prix de l’Opéra. At present, it looks like the Sun Chariot will be her next race, with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot also a potential target if she continues to perform well.
"She came out of the race very well," Menuisier said. "It wasn’t a hard race, and she’s in good form. Winning was a relief and an important step towards bigger goals."
He added, "It’s crucial to win with her given her excellent form and speed. For now, it makes more sense to keep her at a mile, so we’ll likely aim for the Sun Chariot and possibly the QEII if she continues to come out of her races in good shape."