Duty awarded another Guineas Special Duty has been awarded the French 1000 Guineas after first-past-the-post Liliside was disqualified following a stewards' inquiry. Remarkably Criquette Head-Maarek's filly had previously been awarded the English 1000 in the stewards' room. At Longchamp she came from virtually last to challenge inside the final furlong but Liliside proved up to the battle and fended off her challenge. Trained by Francois Rohaut and ridden by Jean-Bernard Eyquem, Liliside just prevailed in a photo finish, although a stewards' inquiry was immediately called after a rough race and she was found to have caused interference early in the straight and was disqualified and placed last. Ayun Tara set the early pace with Stephane Pasquier opting to hold up Special Duty, who was awarded the Newmarket race in the stewards' room. He was still towards the back of the pack turning for home and he had to bide his time as it got a bit tight for room on the bend. Joanna had taken over upfront at this point but Liliside was really starting to motor, although she had nowhere to run and Eyquem appeared to push his way out. Full Steam looked to be impeded by his manoeuvre with Special Duty also finding space hard to come by in behind. That move allowed Liliside to fly down the straight but once Pasquier got a run, Special Duty stepped up a gear and she was eating up the ground in the closing stages. However, Special Duty just could not get there in time and was edged out by a head with Rohaut's second runner, Baine, claiming third. Head-Maarek felt Special Duty was the moral victor and believes she would account for the winner if the pair were to clash again. She said: "What do you do when you're drawn 10 and you don't want to go in front? "I think she was the best filly in the race and if she had got a better draw, she would have been very close to the winner. "She is a fighter but couldn't quite get there when she needed to and I can take the winner any time I want. "I think she deserves a vacation now so Royal Ascot is unlikely but we may consider sending her to Deauville."
