16 August 2020
Photo scoopdyga.com
Sunday, August 16, 2020, Deauville. - The conditions of the Prix Minerve (Gr3) -3-year-old fillies on 12.5 furlongs- remind us of those of the Oaks or the former Prix Vermeille. Yet the yielding ground reporter at Deauville that day probably altered the verdict so that Wonderful Tonight (Le Havre) was able to take dazzling revenge on the one who had beaten her in their last confrontation, the favourite Valia (Sea The Stars).
Trained in England by David Menuisier, who entrusted her to Tony Piccone, the winner led the entire race with her compatriot Born with Pride (Born To Sea) travelling by her since she'd joined outside the backstretch. She was pushed early but even by leaning outwards, she finally managed to keep a closing Valia at bay to score by two and a half lengths, the Aga Khan homebred beating the 3rd-placed Paix (Muhaarar), who also came from the rear, by a length.
Bought € 40,000 at the yearling sales in Deauville, Wonderful Tonight won her first race at Saint-Cloud after her debut across the Channel, all at 2. Back this season in June over 10 furlongs, she just beat Oriental Mystique, but was then unable to do anything at ParisLongchamp against Valia.
She is a sister to Penjade (Air Chief Marshall), winner of several races in the USA after starting her career in France. She also has a full sister, a 2-year-old in training with Pascal Bary, a yearling brother by Recorder, followed by a weanling filly also by Recorder.