By Sean Cronin
Mario Baratti trainee Misunderstood (Fr) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}– Waldjagd {GB}, by Observatory) made all to shed maiden status on debut at Deauville in July and repeated the dose in Thursday's G3 Prix des Chenes at ParisLongchamp to become the first black-type winner for his freshman sire (by Kodiac {GB}).
Breaking well from the outside stall to establish a clear buffer through the early fractions, the 13-10 favourite was shaken up with 350 metres remaining and maintained a high tempo in the closing stages to easily account for Nesthorn (GB) (Expert Eye {GB}) by 4 1/2 lengths. Cacofonix (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) was nine lengths further adrift in third.
“He has a tendency to be keen and we don't have much choice but to let him bowl along in front at a good pace,” Baratti explained. “This is also why he carries a hood. He kept finding and drew away nicely, proving that he is probably a very good horse. [Jockey] Alexis [Pouchin] has suggested running him over seven furlongs. The [G1 Prix Jean-Luc] Lagardere is a possibility, but I first want to discuss it with the owners. Personally, I would like to wait for next year as he gives a lot in his races and I don't want to give him one race too many [this year].”
Pedigree Notes
Misunderstood is the ninth of 11 foals and one of seven scorers out of G2 Diana-Trial second Waldjagd (GB) (Observatory), herself a daughter of multiple Group-winning G1 Deutschland-Preis second Wurftaube (Ger) (Acatenango {Ger}). Wurftaube's quartet of black-type performers is headed by G1 Deutsches Derby hero Waldpark (Ger) (Dubawi {Ire}) and her descendants include G1 St Leger victor Masked Marvel (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}) and multiple Group 1-winning Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe hero Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). The February-foaled bay is a half-brother to G2 T von Zastrow Stutenpreis victrix Waldbiene (Fr) (Intello {Ger}) and Listed Prix du Pont Neuf winner Urwald (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}). He is also kin to a yearling filly by Frankel (GB) and a weanling filly by Persian King (Ire).
Chênes (Gr3, m2, 1600m) à #ParisLongchamp
Très facile victoire de bout en bout du favori Misunderstood (Hello Youmzain) @Haras_d_Etreham qui reste invaincu pour sa 2e sortie. pic.twitter.com/SsIGtbYKlE
— France Galop (@francegalop) September 12, 2024
Thursday, ParisLongchamp, France
PRIX DES CHENES-G3, €80,000, ParisLongchamp, 9-12, 2yo, c/g, 8fT, 1:44.08, sf.
1–MISUNDERSTOOD (FR), 128, c, 2, by Hello Youmzain (Fr)
1st Dam: Waldjagd (GB) (GSP-Ger), by Observatory
2nd Dam: Wurftaube (Ger), by Acatenango (Ger)
3rd Dam: Wurfbahn (Ger), by Frontal (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (190,000gns RNA Ylg '23 TATOCT; 95,000gns RNA 2yo '24 TATBRE). O-Haras d'Etreham & Mustapha Bekhti; B-Ecurie de Cachene & Patrick Charel (FR); T-Mario Baratti; J-Alexis Pouchin. €40,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, €65,000. *1/2 to Waldbiene (Fr) (Intello {Ger}), GSW-Ger; and Urwald (GB) (Le Havre {Ire}), SW-Fr. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Nesthorn (GB), 128, c, 2, Expert Eye (GB)–Swiss Range (GB), by Zamindar. 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O-Juddmonte Farms Inc; B-Juddmonte Farms Ireland Ltd (GB); T-Francis-Henri Graffard. €16,000.
3–Cacofonix (Ire), 128, c, 2, Lope De Vega (Ire)–Spaday (Ire), by Exceed And Excel (Aus). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (IRE); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €12,000.
Margins: 4HF, 9, 1 1/4. Odds: 1.30, 2.10, 3.50.
Also Ran: Keanu (Fr), Giuseppe Ballocco (Fr).
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