By Sean Cronin
Fresh from matching Iffraaj's European record of 38 freshman winners on Sunday, Tally-Ho Stud resident Mehmas (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) stood out on his own–on a magnificent 39–after Fitri Hay's Good Listener (Ire) shed maiden status in Monday's Visit attheraces.com Novice Median Auction S., going a shade over five furlongs, at Windsor.
2nd-Royal Windsor, £5,300, Nov, 10-19, 2yo, 5f 21yT, 1:02.40, sf.
GOOD LISTENER (IRE) (c, 2, Mehmas {Ire}–Looks Great {GB}, by New Approach {Ire}), who posted a debut third tackling five furlongs in an Oct. 9 York novices' heat last time, recovered to race under a tight grip behind the leaders in sixth after sitting back at the break. Tanking ever closer from halfway, the 13-8 pick was switched to the far-side rail for his bid approaching the final furlong and kept on strongly under mild rousting in the closing stages to prevail by 1 1/4 lengths from Faustus (GB) (Mayson {GB}), becoming a European record-breaking 39th winner for his Tally-Ho Stud-based freshman sire (by Acclamation {GB}). “I think it might have suited him that he missed the gate, otherwise he might have been a bit too keen,” reflected trainer Richard Hannon. “He sort of had nowhere to go and that would have also suited him, he's learnt a bit and learnt to take his time. He's by the magic sire and looks a decent horse going forward.” Good Listener is the first of two foals out of the unraced Looks Great (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) and the February-foaled bay is half to a yearling colt by Gutaifan (Ire). Looks Great, once again reported in foal to Mehmas (Ire), is a granddaughter of Sumoto (GB) (Mtoto {GB}), whose descendants also include G1SW sire Compton Admiral (GB) (Suave Dancer), G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. hero Summoner (GB) (Inchinor {GB}), MG1SW distaffer The Fugue (GB) (Dansili {GB}) and MG1SW speedster Limato (Ire) (Tagula {Ire}). Sales history: €35,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV; £50,000 Ylg '19 GOFFPR. Lifetime Record: 2-1-0-1, $6,292. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
O-Mrs Fitri Hay; B-Aughamore Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon.
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