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Run of the Week (Flat).

Cagnes-Sur-Mer – 14th  February 2021

Race 3 The Listed Prix de La Californie (1600m) – 12.05 - King Shalaa   

King Shalaa remained unbeaten on Valentine's Day at Cagnes sur Mer on the all-weather surface winning the Listed Prix de La Californie (1600m) for three-year-olds in promising style. The Francois Rohaut trained colt broke well from the stalls and went forward to press for the lead in the back straight to tow the field along at an even pace. Jockey Pierre-Charles Boudot ensured there was only a leisurely pace throughout holding a narrow lead throughout.   

As the field turned into the home straight, with 400m to go, only six lengths covered the group of eight. The son of Shalaa gradually went through the gears and showed a good attitude to fight off a persistent challenge from Fort Payne and the favourite Summiter with all three together inside the final 200m.  

However, it was King Shalaa that kept up the pressure and managed to fend off rivals for a narrow win. The attitude demonstrated in the closing stages indicated there is potential of further progression. 

The Sheik Abdullah Bin Khalifa Al Thani owned three-year-old came into this Listed contest following a winter break. His victory on debut came at La Teste de Buch over the trip in August before following up at Lyon Parilly a month later in a soft ground class two conditions contest where the third, Rougir went on to be placed third in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac - Critérium des Pouliches (1600m) at Paris-Longchamp before landing the G3 Prix des Réservoirs (1600m) at Deauville (Turf). This shows the form is working out well and with his win on Sunday, King Shalaa could be open to further improvement.  

As a stallion, Shalaa has had 213 runners with 26 wins and 81 places. King Shalaa currently holds the greatest number of wins as a son of Shalaa with three.