Kodiac Filly Romps in UAE 1000 Guineas

[Wandering Eyes]

Zalim Bifov homebred Silva (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) made it back-to-back wins with an emphatic victory in the 1600-metre Listed UAE 1000 Guineas at Meydan on Thursday. It was the Pia Brandt trainee’s first try on dirt in four starts, after rolling a pair of fives over the Chantilly turf and all-weather on Oct. 16 and Nov. 13, respectively. She eked out a neck victory going 1900 metres at Deauville on Dec. 14 in her warm up for this first black-type try.

One of the quickest into stride, Silva settled in a close up fourth against the fence as Lady Parma (Exchange Rate) was pressed by Muthhila (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}). Moving into a clear-cut third under Oisin Murphy on the turn, Silva took dead aim on Lady Parma at the 500-metre mark and took over with 300 metres remaining. From there she drew off impressively to win by 9 3/4 lengths. The rallying Divine Image (Scat Daddy), who missed the break, just nipped Lady Parma by a head for second, while Dubai Beauty (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was a length back in fourth.

“It was a good job from my agent to pick her up and the trainer has done a super job,” said Murphy. “It was my first ride for Pia Brandt. I gave her a good run up and she jumped and she probably avoided all the kickback. Her next assignment might be tougher, but that was a great result.”

Silva is a half-sister to G3 Prix Sigy hero Fas (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) out of the winning Sotka (GB) (Dutch Art {GB}), who was placed at the listed level in France. Her dam, a half-sister to Irish highweight and MG1SW sprinter Sole Power (GB) (Kyllach {GB}), has a 2-year-old filly by No Nay Never, a yearling colt by Kingman (GB) and was bred back to that Juddmonte sire in 2018.

Lifetime Record: 4-2-0-0. DRC Video.

O/B-Zalim Bifov (Ire). T-Pia Brandt.

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