Euro shipper Waliyak enters E.P. Taylor on the upswing

ETOBICOKE, Ontario – The French-bred Waliyak has been keeping some good company in Europe, and the Great Britain-based 4-year-old should be prominent in Sunday’s Grade 1, $600,000 E.P. Taylor at Woodbine.

Waliyak notched a stakes three back at Haydock before ending up second in the Group 3 Atalanta at Sandown won by Saffron Beach, who subsequently took the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes. Waliyak won the Group 3 Prix Bertrand de Tarragon over soft ground in her last start at Chantilly.

Michael McGowan, an assistant to trainer Roger Varian, said Waliyak traveled well and seems ready for another strong performance.

“Her form is quite solid,” McGowan said. “After winning that listed race at Haydock, she stepped up to the Group 3 level and took it in stride. She won quite comfortably [at Chantilly].

“It would be nice to get her placed or to pick up a Group 1. She deserves it. She’s been quite consistent. She’s very laid back and easy to train. There’s no quirks about her. She’s a dream to take away on these sort of trips.”

McGowan said he would prefer some cut in the ground for Waliyak, who will be ridden by Jack Mitchell.

“She goes on any ground, but she wouldn’t want it too quick,” McGowan said. “The softer the better. Jack Mitchell has won on her before. He knows the filly quite well. He’s one of our stable jockeys back home.”

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The 1 1/4-mile Taylor is the final leg of the Ladies of the Lawn, a three-race turf series for fillies and mares. Trainer Christophe Clement entered the winners of the first two legs – Grade 2 Dance Smartly winner Mutamakina with Dylan Davis aboard and Grade 2 Canadian winner La Dragontea with Joel Rosario up.

“Both are doing well,” Clement said. “I’m excited to see them run.”

Mutamakina and La Dragontea are tied atop the Ladies of the Lawn standings with 10 points apiece, along with Court Return. Merveilleux ranks fourth with eight points. The owner of the leading point earner receives a $50,000 bonus. The bonus for second is $15,000, and the third-place bonus is $10,000.

Court Return wound up fourth in the Dance Smartly and second in the Canadian. Over a course labeled good, she was a fast-closing second in last year’s Taylor.

Merveilleux finished a lapped-on third in the Dance Smartly. She was a flat fourth while turning back from 1 1/4 miles to about 1 1/8 miles in the Canadian.

“I was a little concerned about the cutback in distance last time,” said trainer Kevin Attard. “It was a paceless race to boot. I think that compromised her a little bit as well. I’m looking forward to stretching her out. She won the Wonder Where Stakes around this time last year when she seemed to get really good.”

Trainer Chad Brown entered Kalifornia Queen, Great Island, and last year’s Taylor winner, Etoile, who has been idle since finishing a close second in the Aug. 22 Dance Smartly. Irad Ortiz Jr. rides Etoile.

Rounding out the 10-horse field are Family Way and Keyflower.