By Sean Cronin
Patrice Cottier trainee Classic Flower (GB) (Calyx {GB}–Crown Of Flowers {GB}, by Garswood {GB}) had collected prizemoney for the Gousserie Racing and Jean-Etienne Dubois partnership in all three prior black-type outings and held firm against a strong British raiding party to double her freshman sire's pattern-race tally in Saturday's G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly.
The 28-5 chance, who had hit the board in the G2 Prix Robert Papin and G3 Prix Six Perfections earlier in the campaign, was well away to stalk the leading duo in a handy third from flagfall. Inching into second at halfway, she was shaken up passing the quarter-mile marker and was ridden out once gaining an edge with 150 metres remaining to prevail by 3/4-of-a-length from G3 Prix Eclipse victrix Dawn Charger (Ire) (Soldier's Call {GB}). Seven Questions (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) was up with the pace throughout and kept on well to finish 1 3/4 lengths back in third.
“Classic Flower had not been blessed with luck in her last couple of races [over seven furlongs] and six is probably her optimum trip,” said Pauline Chebhoub. “She was freshened up, the break did her a lot of good and she looked outstanding in the preliminaries today. Travelling handy is probably better for her and she deserved to win at this level. She will come back next year with Classic ambition.”
Pedigree Notes
Classic Flower is the first of two reported foals out of a half-sister to MGSP Listed Pipalong S. and Listed Bosra Sham Fillies' S. victrix Bahia Breeze (GB) (Mister Baileys {GB}), herself the dam of G2 Ridgewood Pearl S. winner Beshaayir (GB) (Iffraaj {GB}) and the dual stakes-placed Brioniya (GB) (Pivotal {GB}). The March-foaled chestnut's dam is also kin to the dam of the dual stakes-placed Rock On Baileys (GB) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) while Brioniya threw Listed Grand Prix de Marseille third Bakhchisaray (Fr) (Motivator {GB}). Half-sister to a yearling filly by Oasis Dream (GB), she is from the family of Preakness-winning US champion Tom Rolfe (Ribot {GB}), MGISW sire Bates Motel (Sir Ivor) and GI San Antonio H. hero Hatim (Exclusive Native).
Smart performance! Classic Flower continues the good form of Patrice Cottier with victory in the Group 2 Criterium De Maisons-Laffitte at @fgchantilly… pic.twitter.com/u7sfdgLO06
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 7, 2023
Saturday, Chantilly, France
CRITERIUM DE MAISONS-LAFFITTE-G2, €190,000, Chantilly, 10-7, 2yo, 6fT, 1:10.03, g/s.
1–CLASSIC FLOWER (GB), 125, f, 2, by Calyx (GB)
1st Dam: Crown Of Flowers (GB), by Garswood (GB)
2nd Dam: Ring Of Love (GB), by Magic Ring (Ire)
3rd Dam: Fine Honey, by Drone
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (45,000gns Wlg '21 TATFOA). O-Gousserie Racing & Jean-Etienne Dubois; B-Petches Farm Ltd (GB); T-Patrice Cottier; J-Mickael Barzalona. €108,300. Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-1, €167,500. Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Dawn Charger (Ire), 125, f, 2, Soldier's Call (GB)–Dushlan (Ire), by New Approach (Ire). (€40,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY). O-Saif Mohammad Alketbi & Elaine Burke; B-Jim Bolger (IRE); T-Karl Burke. €41,800.
3–Seven Questions (Ire), 128, g, 2, Kodiac (GB)–Get Up And Dance (GB), by Makfi (GB). (£58,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Victorious Racing & Fawzi Nass; B-Tally-Ho Stud (IRE); T-George Scott. €19,950.
Margins: 3/4, 1 3/4, 2. Odds: 5.60, 1.30, 3.00.
Also Ran: Inishfallen (Ire), Spanish Phoenix (Ire), Shady Lady (Fr), Gaenari (Ire). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
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