France
Cracksman's Ace Impact sweeps aside Big Rock for Jockey Club glory
Owner Ecuries Serge Stempniak's hitherto undefeated Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}) posted a third straight win when annexing last month's Listed Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly and returned to that Paris venue for Classic glory in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby).
Preceding his black-type breakthrough with impressive early-season wins at Cagnes-sur-Mer and Bordeaux-Le Bouscat, the 19-2 chance extended trainer Jean-Claude Rouget's record to six wins in the contest after defeating 17-10 favourite Big Rock (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) by an impressive 3.5l. The trainer has now won five of the last eight renewals while jockey Cristian Demuro, also victorious aboard Rouget's Brametot and Sottsass (Fr), improved his tally to three.
The winning time of 2:02.63 was a new standard for the race, going under Sottsass' previous best by 0.27s.
Ace Impact employed patient tactics from flagfall and settled several lengths off Big Rock's tempo in 10th with 'TDN Rising Star' Padishakh (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) the only rival in arrears. Making smooth headway on the bridle in the straight, he was stirred into action passing the quarter-mile marker and powered off into the distance once swooping to deprive Big Rock of control with 100 metres remaining.
Christopher Head's long-time leader was safely clear of the remainder, with G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains hero Marhaba Ya Sanafi (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) running on well from off the pace to finish 2.5l further adrift in third.
Rising Stars filled three of the next four spots with the supplemented Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}) fourth, Epictetus (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) fifth and Padishakh seventh.
“We've always liked him, I call him 'Monsieur Sans Souci' and he really is without a care in the world,” said Rouget. “I've never had any problems with him, apart from the fact that he managed to sport a winter coat in the middle of summer. We gave him all the time he needed as I saw something in him when he made his debut at Cagnes-sur-Mer this year.
Jean-Claude Rouget | Image courtesy of the British Champions Series
“He sprouted wings in the straight that day, just like he did today. He's a very good colt and we thought he was good, but he needed to prove it. I think having three races under your belt prior to running in the Jockey Club is a good thing, but just two races is cutting it a bit fine. When Sottsass ran I didn't believe he was up to it, because of the ground, and yet he blew us away. Just like Ace Impact did today. Sottsass was exceptional, capable of winning on any ground, and Ace Impact has proved that he's very good. I'm very happy to see the colours of a French owner win the race.”
Looking ahead, but without committing to immediate targets, the trainer added, “He's entered in the (G1) Eclipse (at Sandown), but we'll mull matters over first. He has the profile for the (G1) Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as he has both the physique and the stride pattern. I'd prefer him to run on good ground, like all good horses, but he should be able to emulate Sottsass and be capable of winning on both fast and heavy ground. There are races for him before the Arc and his future program has not yet been established. Obviously, we are tempted (by the Arc).” Rouget also indicated his other runners Padishakh (seventh) and Rajapour (10th) ran too freely and shall revert to shorter trips in the future.
“He's (Ace Impact) entered in the (G1) Eclipse (at Sandown), but we'll mull matters over first. He has the profile for the (G1) Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as he has both the physique and the stride pattern.” - Jean-Claude Rouget
Ace Impact becomes the first Group 1 winner for his second-crop sire Cracksman (GB), a son of Frankel (GB), and is the leading performer out of the Listed Berenberg Cup runner-up Absolutly Me (Fr) (Anabaa Blue {GB}).
Absolutly Me has also produced Listed Grand Prix de la Riviera Cote d'Azur runner-up Alessandro (Fr) (Australia {GB}), Listed La Coupe de Marseille third Apollo Flight (Fr) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and the unraced 2-year-old cold Arrow Eagle (Fr) (Gleneagles {Ire}).
Frankel's Kelina takes the Sandringham
Providing a boost to the form of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches in which she was fourth last month, the Wertheimers' TDN Rising Star Kelina (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) was in command in Sunday's G2 Prix de Sandringham at Chantilly. Tracking Zarinsk (GB) (Kodiac {GB}) in second throughout the early stages, the Carlos Laffon-Parias-trained 10-3 shot overwhelmed that rival before surging to an impressive 2l success from the Pouliches third Sauterne (Fr) (Kingman {GB}).
Kelina is the third foal from the Oasis Dream (GB) mare Incahoots (GB). She was a winner of the Listed Cagnes-sur Mer Prix Saonois.
Germany
Kingman's Habana dominates the German 1000 Guineas
Showing the overseas raiders a clean pair of heels on Sunday, Gestut Fahrhof's TDN Rising Star Habana (Ger) (Kingman {GB}) made all to conquer the G2 Wempe 103rd German 1000 Guineas at Dusseldorf.
Disappointing on her course-and-distance prep when last of four in the Listed Henkel-Stutenpreis last month, the G3 Zukunfts-Rennen winner who had been down the field in the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac dominated here under an inspired ride from Eduardo Pedroza.
Sent clear of Godolphin's 6-4 favourite Dream Of Love (Ire) (Shamardal {USA}) in the straight, the Andreas Wohler-trained 4-1 shot hit the line with 3l to spare over Stenton Glider (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), while Dream Of Love finished third. “I had a good feeling right out of the stalls, we had planned to change the tactics and let her make her own race and she really delivered well,” Pedroza said. “She was very relaxed during the race and accelerated well. We've always held her in high esteem and that is why we gave Paris a go last year, but the (soft) going was entirely against her there.”
Habana is the second foal from the Speightstown (USA) mare Hargeisa (USA).
United States
Candy Ride's Geaux Rocket Ride much the best in Affirmed
Prohibitive 1-2 pick Geaux Rocket Ride (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}) justified those short odds with a facile win Sunday in Santa Anita's Affirmed S. despite losing his front left shoe. His task was made easier when second choice Skinner (USA) (Curlin {USA}) was scratched Saturday after trainer John Shirreffs was not pleased with his recent jogs.
Geaux Rocket Ride broke smoothly from the outside as Ze-bul (USA) (Collected {USA}) stumbled leaving the gate and was left well in arrears. The eventual winner raced in third and in the clear as Hard to Figure (USA) (Hard Spun {USA}) and Del Mar Jerry (USA) (Mastery {USA}) emerged from the early fray to set the pace through 23.27s and 46.11s early fractions. Three furlongs from home, jockey Ramon Vazquez let it out a notch and Geaux Rocket Ride immediately responded, moving easily as he cruised up, swept around the field, and sailed for home about 3l the best. Mr. Fisk (USA) (Arrogate {USA}) chased him home as Hard to Figure settled for third.
Geaux Rocket Ride was last seen finishing second to eventual G1 Santa Anita Derby winner Practical Move (USA) (Practical Joke {USA}) in the G2 San Felipe S. on March 4.
South Africa
Gimmethegreenlight sires Group 1 double
The Dean Kannemeyer-trained Gimme A Prince (SAf) won his second Group 1 in the G1 Golden Horse Sprint at Scottsville, South Africa. The son of the Champion sire Gimmethegreenlight (SAf) has won six of his 10 starts placing in another three, among his wins include the G1 Cape Flying Championship at Kenilworth.
Gimmethegreenlight (SAf) | Standing at Varsfontein Stud
While earlier in the day Freeman-based leading stallion Gimmethegreenlight’s unbeaten son Lucky Lad (SAf) kept his record intact and won his first Group 1 race in the G1 Gold Medallion at Scottsville.
Gimmethegreenlight is the sire of 54 stakes winners.
Outstanding Princess Calla thrills in Group 1 contest
The Sean Tarry-trained Princess Calla (SAf) (Flower Alley {USA}) became a dual Group 1 winner when she won the G1 South African Fillies Sprint S. at Scottsville.
The daughter of Flower Alley (USA) had previously won the G1 Empress Club S. at Turffontein and has been placed at the elite level a further five times.
