Minorette is a rangy, good-bodied filly who clearly appreciated the step up to 10 furlongs and would undoubtedly stay further judged by the way she bounded away from her rivals in the last 100 yards to win full of running.

My ratings suggest Minorette is right up there with the best of this year’s unusually strong crop of French three-year-old fillies. Indeed she beat the French Guineas and Oaks third Xcellence by a wider margin than Avenir Certain. It’s tough planning a campaign for any horse that needs 10 furlongs or more in America as 99.4% of US races are nine furlongs or less. I wouldn’t worry too much if Minorette loses between now and the Breeders’ Cup by being forced to race over an inadequate distance. When the big race comes around she’ll have home ground advantage over the European raiders.