MONT de Marsan-based Didier Guillemin is a bit of an expert when it comes to training two-year-olds and this he proved by saddling Zonza to win the Group 3 Prix du Bois.

Ridden by Cristian Demuro, the filly was always travelling well within herself and was not flat out to beat the Wesley Ward-trained Elizabeth Darcy, with the only male in the race, Ardenode, back in third place in front of the warm favourite Hergame.

She looked hampered by the runner-up but the stewards took no action. Zonza, named after a beautiful town in southern Corsica, was landing a hat-trick and Guillemin commented: “She must be good to land three races in a row. She will come back to Deauville for the Prix Morny. She is a laid back and easy filly to train.”

Her sire Alex The Winner is an unraced son of Storm Cat. He was bought by her co-owner and part breeder Jean-Pierre Dubois, better known in trotting circles, for $600.000 at Keeneland in 2008.

Ardenode was given every chance by Fabrice Veron and he now heads for the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood according to Eoghan O’Neill.