Centifolia leads home Collet one-two

Robert Collet, who saddles Whipper in tomorrow’s Breeders’ Cup Mile, received a timely boost when his Centifolia and Salut Thomas gave him a one-two in the Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte today.

Whipper took the six-furlong juvenile prize 12 months ago before making a name for himself at the highest level this season, and Centifolia looks set for a bright three-year-old career too.

French champion-elect Ioritz Mendizabal had the even-money favourite in the lead from the start, and with the benefit of the rail she gamely held off her stablemate by two lengths, with Campo Bueno back in third.

“She’s got lots of speed but above all a big heart too,” said the Basque-born jockey.

John Gosden’s Prince Charming came home first of the three British raiders in fourth place, just ahead of Obe Gold, trained by Mick Channon. But Gimcrack Stakes winner Tony James, from Clive Brittain’s stable, was last of the nine runners.

The Roger Charlton-trained pair Striking Ambition and Patavellian were second and third respectively in the Group Three Prix de Seine-et-Oise.

This six-furlong contest went to the John Hammond-trained Miss Emma, who held off a strong late burst from Striking Ambition by half a length.