Formal Decree???

[my miss storm cat]

Thanks.

This just came up on Godolphin.....

Whew.

Stage Gift with Kerrin McEvoy aboard
© Scoop Dyga
STAGE GIFT WINS DRAMATIC LA COUPE
14 June 2007


Stage Gift showed great resolution under Kerrin McEvoy to secure victory in a dramatic renewal of the Group Three La Coupe at Longchamp, France, on Thursday, June 14.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained four-year-old made all in the 10-furlong contest, which saw only five of the eight starters finish after his Godolphin stable companion Formal Decree slipped and fell on the turn for home.

Frankie Dettori was fortunate to escape unharmed as Formal Decree, racing in fifth at the time, came down on the long bend and the jockey was thrown under the rails.

Three rivals were impeded, including the Ronan Thomas-ridden Musical Way, who was brought down.

Formal Decree, winner of the Group Three Dubai Al Rashidiya at Nad Al Sheba in February, seemed all right afterwards.

Saeed bin Suroor reported: “Frankie came back fine and there doesn’t appear to be anything wrong with the horse.”

Stage Gift, who jumped smartly from the gate, was immediately sent to the front by Kerrin McEvoy and was oblivious to the trouble behind him.

The four-year-old Cadeaux Genereux gelding relished his first start of the European season as he led his rivals into the home straight and quickened for home with a quarter of a mile to race.

Stage Gift was pressed on his outside by Group One Prix d’Ispahan fourth Willywell but responded gamely and was always holding the second.

The margin at the line was three quarters of a length and Stage Gift covered the 10 furlongs in 2m 6.06s on ground officially described as good.

The success was Stage Gift’s second at Group Three level following his triumph in the Unicorn Asset Management Darley Stakes at Newmarket in October.

Saaed bin Suroor commented: “Stage Gift won very well. He is happy in front and it was good to see him win like that. There are plenty of races for both horses but we will make no plans for either until we see how they come out of the race.”

The winner provided Godolphin with a third victory in La Coupe, following on from Slickly in 2000 and Equerry two years later.