Fastnet Rock Colt Dominates the Sigy
| 7th at CHY, Gr. Stk, 80000 | G3 Prix Sigy | (6f) | Winner: Fas (Ire), c, 3 by Fastnet Rock (Aus) |
By Tom Frary
Coming to the fore with a win in the Listed Prix Ronde de Nuit over this track and trip Mar. 16, Fas took a leap forward here with an all-the-way dismissal of some of France’s quickest sophomores. Third in the 6 1/2-furlong Listed Prix Saraca at Maisons-Laffitte in mid-September and also in the G3 Prix Eclipse when involved in a three-way photo at this distance back there just nine days later, the bay revisited that circuit to be fourth in the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte the following month. Looking a more powerful proposition in the Ronde de Nuit, he was in a different league to his contemporaries this time allowed to bowl along in front from the outset by Maxime Guyon. Leaving behind the hot favourite and previously-unbeaten filly Mrs Danvers (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}) as he surged clear from over a furlong out, he hit the line strong to register a resounding success.
Royal Ascot now looms large on his horizon. “He is so fast,” commented trainer Pia Brandt, who had dismissed plans to step him up in trip for Monday’s G3 Prix Djebel. “He was a little bit more manageable than last time and quickened brilliantly to win in very good style. He is very easy to train and does little in the mornings, keeping his best for the afternoons so it is not a problem keeping him fresh for the G1 Commonwealth Cup [at Royal Ascot June 23]. He will not run in between.” Fas is the first foal out of the listed-placed Sotka, who also has a 2-year-old daughter of Dawn Approach (Ire) named Vlatka (Ire) and a yearling filly by Kodiac (GB). She is a half-sister to the five-times group 1-winning sprinter Sole Power (GB) (Kyllachy {GB}) and also the G3 Cornwallis S. runner-up Cornus (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), so the basis for Fas’s sprinting prowess is there for all to see. This is also the family of the sires Tychonic (GB) and Fine Edge (GB).
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX SIGY-G3, €80,000, CHY, 4-9, 3yo, 6fT, 1:08.43, gd.
1–@FAS (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Fastnet Rock (Aus)
1st Dam: Sotka (GB) (SP-Fr), by Dutch Art (GB)
2nd Dam: Demerger, by Distant View
3rd Dam: Merida (GB), by Warning (GB)
(€50,000 RNA Ylg ‘15 TAOCT). O-Alain Jathiere & Zalim Bifov; B-Zalim Bifov (IRE); T-Pia Brandt; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 6-3-0-2, €115,050. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Precieuse (Ire), 122, f, 3, Tamayuz (GB)–Zut Alors (Ire), by Pivotal (GB). O-Mme Anne-Marie Hayes; B-Knocktoran Stud (IRE); T-Fabrice Chappet. €16,000.
3–Spanish Fly (Ire), 122, f, 3, Iffraaj (GB)–Hundredsnthousands (Ire), by Thousand Words (GB). (€18,000 Ylg ‘15 GOFSPT). O-Maldon Racing SL; B-Mrs Diane Williams (IRE); T-Mauricio Delcher-Sanchez. €12,000.
Margins: 3HF, 2HF, NK. Odds: 5.60, 4.30, 13.20.
Also Ran: Capchop (Fr), Tresorier (GB), Mrs Danvers (GB), Farshad (Ger), Tahoo (Ire), Upendi (Fr), Hyper Hyper (GB).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Sea the Stars’s Cloth of Stars Wins the d’Harcourt
| 6th at CHY, Gr. Stk, €130,000 | G2 Prix d’Harcourt | (10f) | Winner: Cloth of Stars (Ire), c, 4 by Sea the Stars (Ire) |
Cloth Of Stars | Scoop Dyga
By Sean Cronin
Building on his taking return success in the G3 Prix Exbury over this trip at Saint-Cloud Mar. 19, Cloth of Stars crept closer to the group 1 that has so far evaded him with jockey Mickael Barzalona keen to show off his mount’s inherent class. Runner-up in the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud in November 2015, the bay returned to win the G3 Prix la Force and G2 Prix Greffulhe over this track and trip last April and May only to finish eighth under positive tactics in the G1 Epsom Derby in June. More patiently-ridden when third in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris over 12 furlongs back at Saint-Cloud the next month, he had missed the remainder of the season but re-emerged in the Exbury looking to have benefitted from the break. Anchored with three behind early here, he had over three lengths to make up at the top of the straight but was delivered wide with confidence under hand riding as Mekhtaal threatened to get away. Given two smacks with the whip late on, he overhauled that rival in the final metres to join his G3 Prix la Force-winning stablemate Graphite (Fr) (Shamardal) in setting a new track record. “He got the good pace he needs again and has two options now,” Godolphin’s Lisa-Jane Graffard said. “One is the [G1] Prix Ganay [at Saint-Cloud May 1] and the other is the [G1] Queen Elizabeth II Cup [at Sha Tin Apr. 30].”
Cloth of Stars is out of a full-sister to the G1 Epsom Oaks heroine Light Shift (Kingmambo) and a half to the G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup-winning champion Shiva (Jpn) (Hector Protector), whose daughter That Which Is Not (Elusive Quality) was the recent winner of the Listed Prix Zarkava. She is one of the up-and-comers from this family alongside the Stoute trainee Ulysses (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who captured the G3 Gordon S. last term. This Niarchos dynasty is always capable of turning up new champions, as proven by the rise and rise of Main Sequence (Aldebaran) during his groundbreaking campaign in 2014. Strawberry Fledge also has an as-yet unraced 3-year-old colt named Apollonian (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}), a 2-year-old filly Niku (Ire) also by High Chaparral and a yearling filly by War Command.
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX D’HARCOURT-G2, €130,000, CHY, 4-9, 4yo/up, 10fT, 1:58.77 (NTR), gd.
1–CLOTH OF STARS (IRE), 126, c, 4, by Sea the Stars (Ire)
1st Dam: Strawberry Fledge, by Kingmambo
2nd Dam: Lingerie (GB), by Shirley Heights (GB)
3rd Dam: Northern Trick, by Northern Dancer
(400,000gns Ylg ‘14 TAOCT). O-Godolphin SNC; B-Peter Anastasiou (IRE); T-Andre Fabre; J-Mickael Barzalona. €74,100. Lifetime Record: G1SP-Fr, 10-6-1-2, €418,430. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the e Nicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mekhtaal (GB), 126, c, 4, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Aiglonne, by Silver Hawk. (€300,000 Ylg ‘14 ARAUG). O-Al Shaqab Racing; B-Haras du Mezeray & Skymarc Farm (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €28,600.
3–Maniaco (GB), 126, c, 4, Galileo (Ire)–Plumania (GB), by Anabaa. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €13,650.
Margins: NK, 1HF, NK. Odds: 0.90, 7.00, 20.90.
Also Ran: Robin of Navan (Fr), Palace Prince (Ger), Best Fouad (Fr), One Foot In Heaven (Ire), Cafe Royal (Ger), Raseed (GB), Star Victory (Fr), Gambissara (Fr).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Shamardal’s Graphite Prevails in the Force
| 5th at CHY, Gr. Stk, €80,000 | G3 Prix La Force | (9f) | Winner: Graphite (Fr), c, 3 by Shamardal |
Graphite | Scoop Dyga
By Sean Cronin
Much of the positive vibe surrounded Franz Schubert ahead of this early Jockey-Club pointer, but it was Godolphin’s second-string Graphite who enjoyed the better trip of the pair and duly proved the one to give Andre Fabre an eighth edition. Fourth behind stablemate Veranda (Fr) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}) in a mile debutantes contest at Maisons-Laffitte in September, the grey returned there a month later to deny the dual subsequent scorer Stunning Spirit (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) over this trip. Ideally placed in mid-division against the rail by Pierre-Charles Boudot as his slow-starting stablemate Franz Schubert ended up towards the back trapped wide, Graphite had a gap inside the last quarter mile and seized it to grind his way to the front passing the furlong marker and deny Phelps Win in course-record time. Franz Schubert, who there was a buzz about beforehand, made significant progress from a compromising position in the straight and will be favoured by many to reverse the form next time.
Lisa-Jane Graffard of Godolphin commented, “The winner had a very nice trip and is quite mature, while Franz Schubert is still a bit tender. He travelled well and finished well and there is room for improvement, so that is most encouraging.” Graphite is the last foal out of Fairly Grey, who was runner-up in the G3 Prix d’Aumale and whose initial progeny proved to be the GII Del Mar Derby-winning sire Fairly Ransom. She is herself a full-sister to the G1 Prix Ganay-winning sire Fair Mix (Ire) related to a host of stakes winners Stateside.
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX LA FORCE-G3, €80,000, CHY, 4-9, 3yo, c/g, 9fT, 1:48.27 (NTR), gd.
1–#@GRAPHITE (FR), 128, c, 3, by Shamardal
1st Dam: Fairly Grey (Fr) (MGSP-Fr), by Linamix (Fr)
2nd Dam: Fairlee Wild, by Wild Again
3rd Dam: Raise Me, by Mr. Prospector
(€250,000 Ylg ‘15 AROCT). O-Godolphin SNC; B-Haras de Saint Pair (FR); T-Andre Fabre; J-Pierre-Charles Boudot. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-0-0, €56,200. *1/2 to Fairly Ransom (Red Ransom), GSW & GISP-US, SW & GSP-Fr, $418,529 (USA); and Fairly Fair (Fr) (Sinndar {Ire}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: F. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Phelps Win (Fr), 128, c, 3, Muhtathir (GB)–Take Grace (Fr), by Take Risks (Fr). O/B-Mme Nadine Chiari (FR); T-Henri-Alex Pantall. €16,000.
3–Franz Schubert (GB), 128, c, 3, Dansili (GB)–Measured Tempo (GB), by Sadler’s Wells. O-Godolphin SNC; B-Darley (GB); T-Andre Fabre. €12,000.
Margins: NK, HD, 3/4. Odds: 6.30, 6.10, 1.40.
Also Ran: Kensai (Fr), Saglawy (Fr), Be My Sheriff (Ger), Phoceen (Fr), Prinz Hlodowig (Fr), King of Spades (Fr), Chapa (Fr), High Alpha (Fr). Scratched: Afandem (Fr).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
Goldikova’s Half-Sister Gold Luck Battles To Vanteaux Success
| 4th at CHY, Gr. Stk, €80,000 | G3 Prix Vanteaux | (9f) | Winner: Gold Luck (Fr), f, 3 by Redoute’s Choice (Aus) |
Gold Luck (centre) | Scoop Dyga
By Sean Cronin
At comparative points of their career, it could be argued that Gold Luck is a step ahead of her illustrious half-sibling Goldikova now that she can boast a group win even if she had to work hard to do so. Whether she possesses the scope of her almost inimitable predecessor is open to question and it could be that she was fortunate to hold on here with the race’s eye-catcher Hebah looking a shade unlucky, but it is a case of so far, so good for the homebred. Off the mark with a narrow debut win over a mile at Maisons-Laffitte in September, the bay was not disgraced when runner-up to Monday’s G3 Prix Djebel contender Al Wukair (Ire) (Dream Ahead) in the Listed Prix Isonomy also at that distance at Deauville in October. Building on that experience here, she gave a show of resilience and will-to-win that proved one of Goldikova’s myriad of qualities to deny TDN Rising Star Monroe Bay in a prolonged tussle.
Always close to the pace set by the free-running Monroe Bay, Gold Luck was trapped three-wide until securing second before the end of the back straight. At work shortly after the turn for home, she managed to inch past the favourite in the final stride for a hard-earned success as Hebah closed strongly after a less-than-straightforward trip. “She is now another distinguished member of a fantastic family and this win is most important for a filly like her,” trainer Freddy Head commented. “She did well, as she hasn’t blossomed yet and will most definitely improve off that. We have to think about coming back for the G1 Prix Saint-Alary [at Deauville May 14] now.” She will be re-opposed by Monroe Bay in that contest according to her trainer Pascal Bary. “I am very happy, because she was a difficulty filly to load last year but behaved very nicely here and is definitely more mature mentally now,” he explained. “She was a little bit too fresh and did too much early, but it was most encouraging and she will now go for the Saint-Alary.”
Gold Luck becomes the sixth pattern-race winner for Born Gold, with her other significant half-siblings being the G1 Prix Vermeille heroine Galikova and also Anodin, whose success in the G3 Prix Paul de Moussac preceded second placings in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile, G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and G1 Prix d’Ispahan. Members of this dynasty to further force the impression that it is one of the very best in recent months include last year’s G3 Prix Minerve winner Golden Valentine (Fr) (Dalakhani {Ire}) and the G3 Prix des Chenes scorer and leading Classic hope Akihiro (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). This winner is the last foal produced by Born Gold, who is now 26.
Sunday, Chantilly, France
PRIX VANTEAUX-G3, €80,000, CHY, 4-9, 3yo, f, 9fT, 1:50.21, gd.
1–#@GOLD LUCK (FR), 126, f, 3, by Redoute’s Choice (Aus)
1st Dam: Born Gold, by Blushing Groom (Fr)
2nd Dam: Riviere d’Or, by Lyphard
3rd Dam: Gold River (Fr), by Riverman
O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Freddy Head; J-Maxime Guyon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 3-2-1-0, €66,500. *1/2 to Goldikova (Ire) (Anabaa), 2x Ch. Grass Mare-US, Ch. Older Horse-Eur, Ch. Older Mare-Eur, MG1SW-Eng & Fr, MGISW-US, $7,176,551; Anodin (Ire) (Anabaa), G1SW-Fr, G1SP-Eng & GISP-US, $868,463; Galikova (Fr) (Galileo {Ire}), G1SW-Fr, $1,127,103; Gold Sound (Fr) (Green Tune), GSW-Fr, $369,035; Gold Round (Ire) (Caerleon), GSW-Fr; Born Something (Ire) (Caerleon), GSP-Fr & MSP-US, $153,159; and Red Tune (Fr) (Green Tune), GSP-Fr, $118,122. Werk Nick Rating: C. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Monroe Bay (Ire), 126, f, 3, Makfi (GB)–Lune Rose (GB), by High Chaparral (Ire). (€75,000 Ylg ‘15 AROCT). O-Ecurie Jean-Louis Bouchard & Lady Chryss O’Reilly; B-Petra Bloodstock Agency Ltd & Ecuries des Monceaux (IRE); T-Pascal Bary. €16,000.
3–Hebah (Ire), 126, f, 3, Sea the Stars (Ire)–Lia (Ire), by Desert King (Ire). (170,000gns Wlg ‘14 TATFOA). O-Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum; B-Azienda Agricola Luciani Loreto (IRE); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €12,000.
Margins: SHD, HD, 3/4. Odds: 3.20, 1.20, 7.20.
Also Ran: Vue Fantastique (Fr), Penny Lane (Ger), Uni (GB), Szolnok, Ghurfah (GB). Scratched: Wajnah (Fr).
Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
fonte : TDN
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