By Sean Cronin
Last year's G3 Prix de Cabourg victor The Antarctic (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}–Anna Law {Ire}, by Lawman {Fr}) opened this term with a third in Navan's Listed Committed S. and led from pillar to post in Sunday's G3 Goffs Lacken S. at Naas. His eight-race juvenile campaign included three encounters with Blackbeard (Ire) (No Nay Never), hitting the board behind that now-retired former stablemate in the G2 Prix Robert Papin, G1 Prix Morny and G1 Middle Park.
The Antarctic broke sharply and led along the far-side rail from flagfall. In command throughout, he surged clear approaching the final furlong and was driven out in the closing stages to hold the fast-finishing Ocean Quest (Ire) (Sioux Nation) by a head.
“He made good progress from Navan, he just needed that last run and I'm delighted with him,” commented Aidan O'Brien. “Navan was tough, soft ground and there wouldn't have been much of an edge put on him, but this win will leave a lovely edge on him. Ryan [Moore] was delighted with him and said he got a little bit lonely and idle in the last half-furlong. He'd progressed plenty without us really having to chase him and we couldn't be happier with him. We thought this race would bring him the rest of the way and if everything stays well we should be able to let him coast into [Royal] Ascot now. He would have the option of going to the [G3] Jersey over seven [furlongs] if Little Big Bear went to the [G1] Commonwealth Cup, but it will depend on where Little Big Bear goes. This horse is going to come forward again as he's still a little bit tubby, but he's coming. It always looked like he'd get seven and Ryan said today he was surprised that he quickened as much as he did.”
Pedigree Notes
The Antarctic, the fifth of seven foals, is one of two scorers out of Anna Law (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}), herself kin to four black-type performers headed by G2 Champagne S. victor and G1 July Cup third Etlaala (GB) (Selkirk). His dam's first foal is multiple Group 1-winning speedster Battaash (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and she has the hitherto unraced 2-year-old filly Go Big Or Go Home (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) and a yearling colt by Blue Point (Ire) to come. Descendants of the The Antarctic's second dam Portelet (GB) (Night Shift) also include multiple Group-winning dual Group 1-placed sire Tasleet (GB) (Showcasing {GB}).
Sunday, Naas, Ireland
GOFFS LACKEN S.-G3, €55,000, Naas, 5-21, 3yo, 5f 205yT, 1:09.41, gd.
1–THE ANTARCTIC (IRE), 131, c, 3, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Anna Law (Ire), by Lawman (Fr)
2nd Dam: Portelet (GB), by Night Shift
3rd Dam: Noirmant (Ire), by Dominion (GB)
(750,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Magnier, Tabor, Smith, Westerberg & Brant; B-Ballyphilip Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien; J-Ryan Moore. €33,000. Lifetime Record: GSW & G1SP-Fr, G1SP-Eng, 10-4-2-3, $256,566. *Full to Battaash (Ire), MG1SW-Eng & G1SW-Fr, $2,286,611. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ocean Quest (Ire), 128, f, 3, Sioux Nation–Gold Zain (GB), by Aqlaam (GB). O-J Kirkland & Mrs J M Ryan; B-Dr T K Chah (IRE); T-Jessica Harrington. €11,000.
3–Ocean Jewel (Ire), 128, f, 3, Sioux Nation–Many Colours (GB), by Green Desert. 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€230,000 Ylg '21 GOFOR). O-Al Shira'aa Farms; B-Grenane House Stud (IRE); T-Willie McCreery. €5,500.
Margins: HD, HF, HF. Odds: 1.63, 2.50, 14.00.
Also Ran: Thunderbear (Ire), Shartash (Ire), Torivega (Ire), Mauiewowie (GB), Maria Branwell (Ire), Apache Outlaw (Ire), Badb (Ire), Clever And Cool (Ire), Apricot Twist (Ire), Nightcliff (Ire), Running Cool (GB), Song For Whoever (Ire).
wins the Goffs Group 3 Lacken Stakes @NaasRacecourse for Aidan O'Brien (@Ballydoyle) and Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, D Smith, P Brant and Westerberg
Congratulations to the winning connections! pic.twitter.com/e8EqdNhiwF
— Goffs (@Goffs1866) May 21, 2023
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