By Tom Frary
Following the enforced withdrawal of the hot favourite Pretty Gorgeous (Fr) (Lawman {Fr}) from Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix Marcel Boussac, the race had opened up and it was another French-trained juvenile who emerged triumphant in Tiger Tanaka (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}) on a day that the Rossi family will long remember. Coming here on the back of success in the G3 Prix Francois Boutin on heavy ground at Deauville Aug. 16, Miguel Castro Megias's bay who represents Charley Rossi had suffered just one career defeat when third in the six-furlong G2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly July 19 but was still allowed to start at 8-1. Placed on the rail early by the trainer's wife Jessica Marcialis in a share of fourth, she was in front with 300 metres remaining and comfortably in command from there en route to a 3/4-of-a-length verdict over Tasmania (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}), who was an eye-catcher making up abundant ground from the widest draw. There was another 1 1/2-length margin back to the Cedric Rossi-trained Rougir (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), who was making it a big day for the Lagardere-winning owners Haras de la Gousserie. “What a fantastic day–I have all my family around me including my brother who trains the third and my uncle who won the first race,” the winning trainer said. “The owner was also with me and he is a friend and the only sad thing is that there are not more people here to see it. The few that are on hand gave us such a nice welcome, which helps makes it a truly great moment.”
Tiger Tanaka is an unusual Marcel Boussac heroine, having won three claiming success in the provinces with the first at Lyon-Parilly being under Marc Pimbonnet and the next two by wide margins at Marseille Pont-de-Vivaux. Taking a step up in class in a July 8 conditions event in her stride when extending her tally over this trip at Marseille-Borely, she was only beaten a short head and a neck by Ventura Tormenta (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) and The Lir Jet (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) over an insufficient trip in the Robert Papin but had bounced back in the Francois Boutin over Deauville's straight seven furlongs last time. This was the first group 1 winner ridden by a female jockey in France and young mother Jessica Marcialis had some words of inspiration afterwards. “It's incredible–I'm lost for words, I was just saying yesterday that it's amazing to be here,” she said. “I want to say to all the mums that we can do it, so be strong.”
The trainer added, “We bought her out of a claimer for 24,000 euros, but she showed she wanted to be with the best and is now the best filly. She is qualified for the Breeders' Cup, so why not? Jessica has won races in America. She has a goat in her box and we hope they will be kind enough to invite the goat as well!”
Bought for just €6,500 by Pascale Menard at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale, Tiger Tanaka is the first foal out of the juvenile winner Miss Phillyjinks (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). She is kin to Refusetolisten (Ire), also by Clodovil who produced the Listed Flying Fillies' S. winner Stormy Girl (Ire) (Night of Thunder {Ire}). The third dam Roses In the Snow (Ire) (Be My Guest) boasts the triple graded-stakes-winning Snowdrops (GB) (Gulch), who is in turn the dam of the G3 Horris Hill S. winner Tawhid (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}). Also connected to the G1 Grand Criterium-winning sire Tenby (GB) (Caerleon), the dam's colt foal is by Dragon Pulse (Ire).
Sunday, ParisLongchamp, France
QATAR PRIX MARCEL BOUSSAC – CRITERIUM DES POULICHES-G1, €240,000, ParisLongchamp, 10-4, 2yo, f, 8fT, 1:43.13, hy.
1–TIGER TANAKA (IRE), 123, f, 2, by Clodovil (Ire)
1st Dam: Miss Phillyjinks (Ire), by Zoffany (Ire)
2nd Dam: Smoken Rosa, by Smoke Glacken
3rd Dam: Roses In The Snow (Ire), by Be My Guest
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (€6,500 Ylg '19 TIRSEP). O-Miguel Castro Megias; B-Kellsgrange Stud (IRE); T-Charley Rossi; J-Jessica Marcialis. €137,136. Lifetime Record: 7-6-0-1, €204,586. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tasmania (Fr), 123, f, 2, Zoffany (Ire)–Australienne (Ire), by Monsun (Ger). O/B-Wertheimer & Frere (FR); T-Carlos Laffon-Parias. €54,864.
3–Rougir (Fr), 123, f, 2, Territories (Ire)–Summer Moon (Fr), by Elusive City. (€11,000 Wlg '18 ARQDEC; €55,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Le Haras de la Gousserie; B-Jan Krauze (FR); T-Cedric Rossi. €27,432.
Margins: 3/4, 1HF, 1 1/4. Odds: 8.00, 14.00, 32.00.
Also Ran: Fev Rover (Ire), Coeursamba (Fr), La Jonction (Fr), Thunder Beauty (Ire), Harajuku (Ire), Bonita Queen (Fr), La Gioiosa (Fr), King's Harlequin (Ire), Al Siq (Ire). Scratched: Mother Earth (Ire), Pretty Gorgeous (Fr). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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