Breeders' Cup International Horse Profile: Malavath

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf

The Francis-Henri Graffard filly has raced solely at about six furlongs so far, which hasn’t been the winning formula for this contest. Yet her profile suggests she’d enjoy more distance, although a two-turn mile from post 12 is piling on the variables.

By the speedy Mehmas, Malavath is out of a full sister to Ceisteach, winner of the 1 3/8-mile Robert G. Dick Memorial (G3) in 2015. Malavath’s dam, by New Approach, is also a half to multiple Group 3 scorer Steip Amach, who placed over as far as 1 1/4 miles in the 2016 Prix Jean Romanet (G1).

A €139,200 Arqana Breeze Up purchase, Malavath placed in both starts at Deauville in August. Up against it after breaking slowly in a newcomers’ race, the 11-1 shot was ridden tenderly and improved into third.

Malavath was forecast to improve in her second try over course and distance, and the 3-1 chance did throw a scare into Godolphin’s odds-on colt, Rebel Path. Although a bit slow to go, Malavath recovered, and despite looking outpaced at one stage, she found plenty in the final furlong to miss by a head.

A change of venue to Chantilly coincided with her turning the corner. The 4-5 favorite made good in a Sept. 17 conditions race on soft going, where she secured early position traveling just off the pace and picked up to win comfortably. Malavath was intended for a British venture in the seven-furlong Oh So Sharp (G3), but scratched due to problems trying to travel to Newmarket.

Instead, Malavath stayed at about six furlongs in the Oct. 9 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte (G2) on very soft ground, and she continued her progress as a 15-2 chance. It was her stamina in deep stretch, rather than sprinter speed, that carried the day as she collared Have a Good Day and left favored Desert Dreamer back in third. Both rivals were coming off unplaced efforts in the Cheveley Park (G1), and give her other collateral form. Desert Dreamer has placed in several Group events, including a photo-finish loss in the Princess Margaret (G3), and Have a Good Day was sixth in the Prix Morny (G1).

Malavath’s improvement is likelier due to experience than conditions, so she’s not dependent on soft ground. Yet her running style on the straight course suggests she could get caught for speed at a decisive point around a turning track like Del Mar. Still, Malavath has a better chance of coping here than in her other reported option, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.