Tarascon pulled off an almost fairytale success in yesterday's Airlie Coolmore Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh when guided to victory by 17-year-old apprentice Jamie Spencer.
The Tommy Stack-trained filly led 100 yards from the line to beat the Aidan O'Brien outsider, Kitza, by a neck, with the favourite, La Nuit Rose, in third - a result which three weeks ago had seemed as likely as Spencer's prospects of winning a classic.
Then Tarascon had ruined her chance in the Newmarket 1,000 Guineas by getting very upset in the stalls, lashing out in them and returning home cut, sore and sorry for herself. It had been a bad experience all around. Tarascon had also been spooked at Stansted airport when a jumbo jet had revved up near her.
Yesterday the only thing spooky was how quickly and effectively Tarascon had returned to peak form - a tribute to her trainer Tommy Stack. The circumstances, though, meant that the spotlight focused on her rider.
Spencer, winning his 37th race on his first classic ride, only knew he would be riding Tarascon on Friday and was not able to exercise his 5lb claim. Technically, that meant Tarascon was carrying 5lb more than she should, but at every stage of the race, Spencer moulded in like a natural.
Tarascon had a long look at the stalls but eventually entered. After that, Shahtoush, Kitza and Crazee Mental were always prominent, but La Nuit Rose looked to be going like the winner when taking it up over two furlongs out. Spencer had taken his time, however, and when he launched his challenge, Tarascon and Kitza locked into a battle that was only won close home.
Co Tipperary-born Spencer, whose late father George trained the 1963 Champion Hurdle winner, Winning Fair, returned in tears and declared: "I thought I'd win a furlong and a half out. She was not difficult in the stalls, just a little scared."
Tarascon had been Pat Smullen'r ride but Stack put Spencer up after the youngster had impressed when riding the filly at work.
"He's a good kid, cool with plenty of brains, and he has a big future," Stack said. "I told him she was already a Group One winner (Moyglare Stakes) and there was no panic if she was beaten. She's in all the Oaks but I don't think we'll be flying with her again." Tarascon is as low as 10 to 1 with Ladbrokes for the Epsom Oaks.
The raiders made their mark, however, when Godolphin's Daylami impressively won the Tattersalls Gold Cup under Frankie Dettori.
Stage Affair tried to make all and had Dr Johnson and Ebadiyla at work before the straight, but although Dettori was forced a little wide on last year's French 2,000 Guineas winner, the grey was not hard pressed to win by a length and a half.
"We'll look at the Prince of Wales but his main summer target is the Eclipse," said Godolphin spokesman Simon Crisford; while a happy Dermot Weld nominated the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot as Stage Affair's next race.
Aidan O'Brien and Christy Roche wound up the weekend on a positive note when the admirably consistent Risk Material gave weight and a two and a half length beating to Dabaya in the Silver Stakes. The Gallinule Stakes and the Irish Derby are the colt's future targets.
Richard Hughes rode a double on Paradable in the Maginn Handicap and Deilginis in the Hannan Handicap, while Winged Hussar continued John Murtagh's great run when just beating Kayaara in the Land Rover Handicap.
