By Sean Cronin
Andre Fabre trainee Harajuku (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) went postward at generous odds of 23-5 for Sunday's Prix de la Butte Blanche at Chantilly and came home in style to earn 'TDN Rising Star' status in the seven-furlong maiden heat for fillies. She was well away to occupy a handy slot in third before improving to go second at halfway in this debut. Looming large on the bridle off the home turn, Harajuku eased to the fore approaching the quarter-mile marker and was not for catching thereafter, running on powerfully in the closing stages to prevail by an impressive 2 1/2 lengths from Amazing Grace (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}).
“We were hopeful she would run a good race first time out, but Andre [Fabre] felt she might lack the experience,” admitted racing manager Alan Cooper. “She is a beautifully bred filly and had a lovely action at the end. She is the perfect example of what international racing and breeding is. She was conceived in Japan, born in Ireland and now raced in France.”
Harajuku is the third of four foals and becomes the second scorer produced by a dual-winning full-sister to G1 Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Nightime (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), herself the dam of this month's G1 Eclipse S. winner Ghaiyyath (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) and GI Man o' War S. victress Zhukova (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}). The February-foaled homebred bay is a half-sister to G2 Meguro Kinen victor King of Koji (Jpn) (King Kanaloa {Jpn}) and a yearling filly by Fastnet Rock (Aus).
2nd-Chantilly, €22,000, Mdn, 7-19, 2yo, f, 7fT, 1:26.84, g/s.
HARAJUKU (IRE), f, 2, by Deep Impact (Jpn)
1st Dam: Phaenomena (Ire), by Galileo (Ire)
2nd Dam: Caumshinaun (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire)
3rd Dam: Ridge Pool (Ire), by Bluebird
1ST-TIME STARTER. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, €11,000. O-Flaxman Stables Ireland Ltd; B-Niarchos Family (IRE); T-Andre Fabre. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by Fasig-Tipton.
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