Shes Perfect Team Unsuccessful In French Guineas Appeal

[Wandering Eyes]

Connections of Shes Perfect have been unsuccessful in their appeal to have the result of last week's Poule d'Essai des Pouliches overturned, meaning that Francis Graffard's Zarigana remains the winner.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained Shes Perfect passed the post first at ParisLongchamp, a nose ahead of hot favourite Zarigana, but the placings were reversed after the pair came close together over a furlong out, with the French officials deciding the interference was enough to have affected the result.

Zarigana's jockey Mickael Barzalona also dropped his whip in the closing stages and then proceeded to slap his mount on the neck as a form of encouragement, raising concerns from Fellowes and Shes Perfect's owners, the Basher Watts Syndicate.

However, after hearing the appeal on Tuesday, France Galop confirmed no change to the Classic result on Wednesday.

“I didn't really know what to expect, I think it was a really difficult decision to make,” Fellowes said. “You only have to look at the comments on social media, it really was 50-50. Some thought it was incredibly harsh and some thought it was a fair outcome.

“That was probably a fair reflection on the incident, the front-on camera looks awful but from the camera behind and overhead it looks as if she's done very little. It was a very, very hard case and I'm sure it wasn't a decision that was taken lightly.

“Obviously I'm absolutely gutted, it's a very big deal for my yard. I've got 40 horses in and to win a Classic, a Group One, is huge for us and to have it taken away under these circumstances is difficult.”

He added, “In those Group Ones we just don't seem to have much luck, you only have to go back to Prince Of Arran in his third attempt at the Melbourne Cup. It's gutting, but I completely respect the decision and maybe there'll be a rematch at Ascot in June.

“If I had a pound for every time someone has messaged me since last Sunday saying 'at least you know you have a good filly on your hands' I would be a very rich man!

“It is true, we've got a very talented filly and wherever she runs next she's going to be one of the favourites for a big race. Whether that's the Prix de Diane or the Coronation we haven't decided, but she's a filly to really look forward to for the rest of the season.

“It's an amazing story and the ownership group are fantastic. She couldn't have taken the race in France any better, she's fresh and well and raring to go again.”

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