Zarkava a cut above

A stunning finishing kick from Zarkava allowed the Christophe Soumillon-ridden filly to take victory in the French 1000 Guineas at Longchamp.

The Aga Khan-owned horse has won all four of her starts to date and on each occasion her potent finishing has been to the fore.

A win in the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day marked her out as one to watch and she warmed up for Sunday's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches with a comfortable outing over the course and distance last month.

Thus heading into the race unbeaten, she was sent off the 4-9 favourite with Soumillon settling her at the rear of the field.

Halfway To Heaven, representing Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle stable, did her part in setting a furious pace which ultimately helped Zarkava set a new race record.

And, once pulled out into clear air, the Alain de Royer-Dupre-trained horse skipped clear within a matter of strides and opened up a two-length victory margin at the line.

Kayaba ran well to finish second, with Halfway To Heaven eventually taking third.

Good pace

Soumillon said: "She always jumps out of the gate like that and if you look at all of the races, she has ran in before she has been slowly away from the gate.

"After that she followed the pace, and this was the best day for her turn of foot.

"I didn't have to push her along too much as the pace was good and she was the best today.

"We will have to see what happens next. I am a jockey and not a trainer!"

Despite holding an entry in next month's Juddmonte Oaks at Epsom, Zarkava is likely to stay in France in the near future and is expected to head to Chantilly on June 8th for the Prix de Diane.

His Highness the Aga Khan said: "To go to the Diane would be the obvious thing to do.

"I honestly don't know if she is entered at Epsom but that was never the plan.

"I get the feeling from her races that she will stay further, and it is great to have another super filly."

De Royer-Dupre added: "She was a bit slow to start and they must have gone quickly."

O'Brien, who also trains the sixth-placed Psalm, added: "Halfway To Heaven ran well and she is a tough lady. Psalm ran a good race too but she had a bad draw."