It was so nearly a dual code double for the yard and an eve of birthday gift for Sean Ross, one of the owners of Carmenere, as the striking chesnut filly looked superb and travelled just the same through last night's race over a little shy of ten furlongs. Going for home and taking it up inside the last quarter mile, Charlie Bishop looked like he had made a winning move on Carmenere, but she was just collared in the shadow of the post by a surge from David Simcock's giant gelding Morlaix, who was receiving three pounds. Now connections will in all probability wait for the turf and step the filly up to race over a mile and a half next time, and they can feel confident she will lose her maiden tag in the very near future over what could prove to be her optimum trip and surface. Sparkling Partners surely have much to look forward to this year as owners of Carmenere..