By Sean Cronin
Preceded by a trio of sophomore Listed contests on the card, Saturday's G3 Prix Exbury at Saint-Cloud went the way of last year's three-length winner Haya Zark (Fr) (Zarak {Fr}–Haya City {Fr}, by Elusive City), who handled bottomless conditions at the Paris track and cruised to an easy 1 1/2-length victory from 50-1 Polish raider Gryphon (Ire) (Vadamos {Fr}).
The 53-10 chance also bagged 2023's G3 Prix d'Hedouville and was dropped down to this 10-furlong trip for the first time since last term's heroics at this venue coming back off unplaced efforts in ParisLongchamp's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and G1 Prix Royal-Oak.
Haya Zark was positioned in a stalking second from flagfall and went wide with the six-strong field off the home turn. Launching his challenge on the bridle passing the quarter-mile marker, he swooped for control underneath the stands' side rail at the 300-metre pole–with rider sitting Christophe Soumillon motionless in the plate–and toyed with long-time leader Gryphon inside the final furlong to easily assert superiority in untroubled fashion.
“I dreamt he could do it again after last year and he did,” said owner-breeder Odette Fau. “He had his ground, he was fresh and he won very well.” Trainer Adrien Fouassier expanded, “He loves this extreme ground, and a left-handed course, and he had a dream trip with a lead. He can be keen between horses, but when he is in the clear, like today, he is much more relaxed. In the straight he quickened as if he were on fast ground and it was amazing. We made mistakes with him last year, running on fast ground and over too long a trip, but there will be no such mistakes this year. The weather will dictate where we run.”
Pedigree Notes
Haya Zark is the second of three reported foals and lone scorer produced by Haya City (Fr) (Elusive City), herself a half-sister to G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud third Haya Landa (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) and Listed Criterium de l'Ouest placegetter Haya Of Fortune (Fr) (Soldier of Fortune {Ire}). Haya Zark's third dam Singing Lark (Fr) (Pampabird {Ire}), a full-sister to G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Subotica (Fr), is the dam of G3 Craven S. third Gin Jockey (Fr) (Soviet Star).
Saturday, Saint-Cloud, France
PRIX EXBURY-G3, €80,000, Saint-Cloud, 3-16, 4yo/up, 10fT, 2:25.22, vhy.
1–HAYA ZARK (FR), 126, h, 5, by Zarak (Fr)
1st Dam: Haya City (Fr), by Elusive City
2nd Dam: Haya Samma (Ire), by Pivotal (GB)
3rd Dam: Singing Lark (Fr), by Pampabird (Ire)
O/B-Mme Odette Fau (FR); T-Adrien Fouassier; J-Christophe Soumillon. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 17-5-3-2, €217,930. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Gryphon (Ire), 126, h, 6, Vadamos (Fr)–Guiletta (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€8,000 Wlg '18 GOFNOV; €12,000 Ylg '19 GOFSPT). O-Janusz Szweycer; B-Kellsgrange Stud & John Dwan (IRE); T-Alicja Karkosa. €16,000.
3–Marquisat (Ire), 126, g, 4, Zarak (Fr)–La Marchesa (Ire), by Duke Of Marmalade (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (42,000gns Ylg '21 TATDEY). O-Godolphin; B-Mark H Dixon & Mount Coote Stud (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. €12,000.
Margins: 1HF, 8, 2. Odds: 5.30, 50.00, 1.40.
Also Ran: Horizon Dore (Fr), American Flag (Fr), Mujtaba (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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