By Sean Cronin
Karl Burke annexed the 2018 edition of Deauville's G3 Prix de Cabourg with Comedy (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) and the Spigot Lodge conditioner doubled his tally in the six-furlong contest after last month's G2 Norfolk S. third Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) pounced for a decisive success in this year's renewal.
The 6-4 joint-favourite, who had earlier powered to a runaway success in Sandown's Listed National S., was positioned behind the leader in second after a level break. Looming large on the bridle passing the quarter-mile marker, he was shaken up to seize control with 300 metres remaining and kept on strongly thereafter to win, going away, by 1 1/4 lengths from the hithero undefeated Sajir (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}). White Birch Farm's 'TDN Rising Star' Havana Cigar (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) ran on well from off the pace to finish a length further back in third.
“He's a horse we've always held in very high regard and it was nice to see him get his head in front once again,” commented Lucy Burke. “The extra furlong benefitted him and he galloped out strong through the line. So much so that Clifford [Lee] said he found it difficult to pull him up. It was a different test for him and he's usually a little bit outpaced, but he's still learning and there's loads to come. I ride him out most mornings and his work's been great.”
(Cl. Lee / K. R. Burke) enlève le Prix de Cabourg (Gr.III) disputé à Deauville
Sajir (A.Fabre)
Havana Cigar (J.-C. Rouget) pic.twitter.com/BHEGPVQUFr— Equidia (@equidia) July 30, 2023
Ted Voute, racing manager to the runner-up's owner, reflected, “Sajir ran a great race for only his second career start. His jockey was not very hard on him and you have to be happy with this promising performance.”
Pedigree Notes
Elite Status, full to a yearling colt and half to a weanling filly by Showcasing (GB), is the first of three foals produced by a multiple-winning daughter of Luxuria (Ire) (Kheleyf), herself a half-sister to the 2007 winner of this contest Sweepstake (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}). He becomes the sixth pattern-race winner for his second-crop sire. Sweepstake, in turn, is the dam of G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud hero Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and MGSW G2 Futirity S. and G2 Huxley S. victor Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Descendants of the January-foaled bay's fourth dam, Hesmonds Stud matriarch Galaxie Dust (Blushing Groom {Fr}), include multiple stakes-winning G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud third Zimzalabim (GB) (Damister), GII Lake Placid H. victrix Spotlight (GB) (Dr Fong), G3 Fred Darling S. winner Bulaxie (GB) (Bustino {GB}) and the latter's G2 Premio Lydia Tesio-winning daughter Claxon (GB) (Caerleon).
Sunday, Deauville, France
PRIX DE CABOURG-G3, €80,000, Deauville, 7-30, 2yo, 6fT, 1:11.83, sf.
1–ELITE STATUS (GB), 126, c, 2, by Havana Grey (GB)
1st Dam: Dotted Swiss (Ire), by Swiss Spirit (GB)
2nd Dam: Luxuria (Ire), by Kheleyf
3rd Dam: Dust Flicker (GB), by Suave Dancer
1ST GROUP WIN. (56,000gns Wlg '21 TADEWE; 325,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum; B-Whitsbury Manor Stud (GB); T-Karl Burke; J-Clifford Lee. €40,000. Lifetime Record: SW & GSP-Eng, 4-3-0-1, €83,061. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Sajir (Ire), 126, c, 2, Make Believe (GB)–Simple Magic (Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Prince A A Faisal; B-Nawara Stud Company Ltd (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €16,000.
3–Havana Cigar (GB), 126, c, 2, Havana Grey (GB)–Speculating (Ire), by Xtension (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (21,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA; 150,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-White Birch Farm; B-Josh Cameron (GB); T-Jean-Claude Rouget. €12,000.
Margins: 1 1/4, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.50, 4.20, 1.50.
Also Ran: Power Mode, The Fixer (Ire), Reveiller (Ire). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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