Burke keen on another French foray with Evolutionist
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Sun 3 May 2026
Karl Burke may have missed out on Betfred 1000 Guineas glory but now has his eye on Classic compensation in France with his Newmarket runner-up Evolutionist.
The Fillies’ Mile third had made a winning return on the continent in the Prix de la Grotte to put herself in the equation for the opening fillies’ Classic of the year, but connections have always had a step up in trip in mind and that will come at Chantilly when she tackles the Prix de Diane on June 14.
Burke said: “She’s run a fantastic race and is all heart. Shane (Foley) said the ground was quicker than she would have wanted it. She was going a nice gallop but he said she couldn’t have gone any quicker on that ground and he didn’t want to put a gun to her head and just let her get in a nice rhythm.
“She finished off well and a furlong out I thought she might do it and she will stay further.
“I would say we’ll go to France for the Prix de Diane. The Irish race (Guineas) will come too soon for her so I would say it will be straight to Chantilly, as she will have had a hard race there.
“She’s a very good filly, very progressive and hopefully a step up in trip will find more improvement.
“We went to France for her prep run just to test the water really and she performed really well there, so I think a mile and a quarter will be spot on for her.”
Evolutionist was sent off 16-1, with stablemate and one of last year’s star two-year-olds Venetian Sun much shorter in the betting at 9-2.
However, with the inclination the daughter of Starman failed to stay the one mile trip, a return to sprinting could be on the cards, with the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot the likely new target.
Burke added: “Cliff (Lee) didn’t think she stayed. She hit the gates really strong, had no cover and the draw didn’t help.
“Two out I thought she was getting on the tail of Evolutionist and I thought we might be in business but it just petered out, so we’ll go back to the book and have a look and I would say she would go back in trip for the Commonwealth Cup.”
It was fellow Middleham handler Charlie Johnston who took the final spot on the podium as Venetian Lace proved her second in Group One company on the Rowley Mile last October was no flash in the pan.
Having unearthed a Derby prospect at this meeting on Friday in Ancient Egypt, Johnston could be a busy man at Epsom on the first weekend in June after seeing the 33-1 third run what he believes was the perfect trial for the Oaks.
Johnston said: “I was coming here for an Oaks trial and she couldn’t have run a better one than that.
“She will definitely stay 10 furlongs and it’s then a question over whether she will get 12 or not but on pedigree she should and she will go straight there.
“Maybe if she had got some company today rather than be marooned on her own she might have got up for second but I’m delighted and to finish third in the 1000 Guineas is a brilliant start to the season.”
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